Reports over the weekend have confirmed that West Ham are unlikely to make a third bid for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, with the Scottish champions holding out for a higher transfer fee, despite the player only having two years left on his contract.
The Hammers’ budget has to stretch across a number of positions, and breaking the Championship record for the Belgium international is highly unlikely, which is why, according to a number of news outlets, they have moved onto another target, Jordan James.
James was on loan at Leicester City last season from Rennes, who would likely accept a fee in the region of £10m.
West Ham have been priced out of a move for Celtic midfielder Engles
Jordan James Emerges As Alternative
The Welsh international, aged 22, began his career with Birmingham City, making his debut at just 17 years old before joining Rennes in 2024. During his loan spell at Leicester City, he was voted as their player of the season, having also scored eleven goals.
Wolves, Middlesbrough and Burnley have also registered their interest in the player, who is represented by Will Salthouse.
West Ham Face Midfield Decision
With Nottingham Forest now also entering the race for Engels, Nils Koppen will have to make some swift decisions, yet James’ emergence shifts the landscape. His deal looks less complicated, potentially freeing up budget for moves elsewhere.
I agree with the positive comments – would rather this young lad whos scored goals in the Championship than the Celtic fella for 2.5x as much (though honestly know nothing about how either of them play). Who cares that he was with Leicester that were relegated – Fernandes was relegated from the Prem twice in 2 years and he just sold for 85m and player of the season in any team says a lot.
This is a bit off the subject but do people think that once he’s back Soucek can do the Pablo role? Neither of them are fast but at least Tomas can score, is good at arriving in the box at the right time & I’d say his first touch is better than Pablo’s.
He’s been put up there before from memory. He looks awkward as hell and you lose his die hard defensive effort so wouldn’t be first choice though maybe worth it for 20 mins of crazy ball at the end of a game and yeah, better than Pablo there.
If we get Parrott that would be something as it stands am not sure why we aren’t paying for Engels and messing around with lowball offers.
Not sure how good James is or isn’t and tbh if we wanted a player for £10m or less why didn’t we keep Potts or really invest in Orford accept he will have to learn on the job. Hopefully we get Solomon and Parrott that would make it a decent window.
Looking left & right for info, Jordan James looks right for WHU’s midfield. Central midfielder, can carry the ball, play under pressure, technical, passer of the ball and physical – fights for the ball. Would be a nice fit in WHU midfield.
You get the impression he is the kind of player whose value will increase very quickly from 10M att his early stage of his career – which is a safety net. If it works out, even better. Personally, hope these rumours are true.
Still a very young WHU midfield, but who can play quick football while Alvarez, later Soucek can bring some experience and control.
Why don’t we sign Harvey Elliot on loan with an option to buy if we get promoted? This seems a no brainer what are our so called expert recruitment doing sitting on their hands? Chelsea have several options for loan to buy deals as well?
Or maybe not spending any money apart from 1m on Lamidrid has been their alternative all along. Obviously hoping that is not the case!
This one makes way more sense to me thank Engels. Good value and exactly what we’re lacking in the team at the moment. We already have players who can hustle and pass; what we don’t have are enough ball carriers who can actually take players on and move us up the pitch.
James, Solomon and Nelson would be a good start. I’d still like to see if we could pinch Whittaker from Boro, though.
What on earth are doing go for James, he’s no that good. We have better options at the club already. No more players relegated with their clubs,Championship to LG1,leave it well alone.
Good isnt he our new transfer chief Full of ideas I THINK NOT
Looks like the right thing to do can’t keep hanging around.
Solomon hopefully will stay fit but bringing in Nelson appears to need covering with his injuries.
Limited preseason and played equivalent to 13.5 games over 6 years.
Desire, confidence, attitude doesn’t outstrip bucket load of injuries.
James plus Thomas (covers both flanks, championship goal scorer/reliable), both £10m are better options.
Could even bring in Traore on a freebie, muscle and pace in abundance, injury free.
It’s not a roadblock , the truth is we are being really tight and worse than under Sullivan . We are low balling every offer . So we are looking for free transfers and cast offs not the way to go I’m afraid . Carry really how old is he now get real West Ham . I see we even low balled for Parrott we are a joke the board are useless . I don’t see the point in Nils what is he actually doing . He’s not buying players for sure . As for Nuno that is not taking our time to get recruitment right it’s let’s take our time and spend as little as possible . What a joke
Sullivan still affecting our ability to do anything right in the transfer window, get him out