After being heavily linked with N’Golo Kante, West Ham are set to sign his compatriot and namesake Mohamadou Kante but there’s a twist.
This time last month West Ham were in talks to sign French midfield star N’Golo Kante from Al-Ittihad.
In the end a deal was not done and West Ham signed Argentinian defensive midfielder Guido Rodriguez on a free instead.
The 30-year-old looked a smart, high quality and cost effective signing for West Ham.
Especially as he was meant to sign for Barcelona before Xavi’s departure put paid to the move.
But some did raise concerns about West Ham signing a 30-year-old a day after bringing in a striker who turns 32 this season in the shape of Niclas Fullkrug.
When Jamie Redknapp stated he felt Rodriguez struggled on his Premier League debut in defeat to Villa, the concerns looked legitimate.
West Ham fans voice age concerns
David Moyes left West Ham with the smallest and second oldest squad in the Premier League.
Technical director Tim Steidten stated he and new boss Julen Lopetegui want to lower the age of West Ham’s squad.
After making Luis Guilherme his first signing of the summer, Steidten stated that he had promised the Brazilian teen he would be followed through the door by other exciting young players.
That’s why links to veterans such as Kante and the signings of Rodriguez and Fullkrug have jarred with some Hammers fans.
Those West Ham supporters were expecting a version of the Red Bull model rather than signing players who – like Jamie Vardy – might need Red Bull to keep their energy levels up.
Well now West Ham are set to sign French midfield star Mohamadou Kante but there’s a twist as Steidten shows the way.
West Ham to sign French midfield star Kante but there’s a twist
According to The Athletic’s Adam Leventhal, Paris FC midfielder Kante is having a medical at West Ham.
The 18-year-old is ‘on the cusp of signing a five-year deal’ with the Irons after they swooped before he could pen a new deal with Paris.
Kante is a highly-regarded prospect in France and is very much the kind of Red Bull signing some supporters were expecting from the new regime.
But there’s a twist to this particular deal which is interesting on several levels.
Kante will immediately return to Paris FC on loan and is considered to be one for the future by Steidten and co.
Steidten shows the way
For those among the Hammers fanbase who still haven’t figured out how Steidten operates, this is the perfect example.
The German has brought in Rodriguez on a free and West Ham are also in talks to sign 27-year-old Carlos Soler from PSG too.
They are for the here and now but by signing Kante, the club is also placing its bets on their potential future replacement.
That is what West Ham have done with Guilherme as it becomes increasingly clear Mohammed Kudus will likely leave next summer if his release clause is met.
The fact Kante will return to Paris on loan also means a deal for Soler is still in the pipeline.
With Steidten in charge of recruitment it will often be a case of a player for now and one for the future.
There has been no mention of the fee West Ham are paying.
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