By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
West Ham are reportedly battling Championship rivals Southampton for Watford captain Imran Louza – and this is one transfer rumour I really hope has some substance to it.
According to Africa Foot, both clubs are pushing to sign the Moroccan international before the transfer window closes.
Crucially, the report claims Louza’s representatives currently favour a move to West Ham, although no final decision has been made and several European clubs are also monitoring his situation.
The 27-year-old enjoyed an excellent campaign for Watford last season, starting 41 of his 42 Championship appearances and producing seven goals and nine assists.
Nuno is losing midfielders at an alarming rate
Exactly The Midfielder West Ham Need
I haven’t been too excited by many of the players linked with West Ham this summer, but Louza is an excellent player.
The Hammers were linked extensively with midfielders last season, which gave us plenty of opportunity to look at what Louza could offer.
He appears to possess many of the attributes this West Ham midfield is crying out for.
| Imrân Louza — 2025/26 | |
|---|---|
| Club | Watford |
| Matches | 42 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Assists | 9 |
| Goal contributions | 16 |
Energy, creativity, Championship experience and leadership – he’s Watford’s captain after all – make him the type of player who could go straight into Nuno Espírito Santo’s team.
That leadership shouldn’t be dismissed either. West Ham need as many big characters as possible for what promises to be a long Championship campaign.
There could soon be room for him too. Edson Álvarez has been expected to leave, while Soungoutou Magassa has also been among the midfielders linked with an exit.
If both go, West Ham will need another midfielder regardless.
And if Louza really is available, he’s certainly not somebody I’d want to see Southampton snap up from under our noses.
Been trying to avoid the ranting thing this summer but the Parrott saga and us not been able to afford £17m when we have already sold £155m with more on the way has tipped me over the edge. Best guess for team on Sat:
Herm
KWP, Dinos, Killman, Diouf
Kante, Engels. Orford
Bowen, Taty, Solomon
Soucek, Lamadrid, Pablo injured so subs:
Areola, Veltman, Scarles/Mayers, Golambekis, JWP, Ajala, Piroe
That’s pretty much it except for some young talent with no first team experience as others like Magassa are linked away. So I would say decent first team but we are woefully short as a squad. Multiple injuries are to be expected in gruelling 46 game season. We need minimum 3 more quality players in and if we are planning for all eventualities, alot more than that. But it appears that a couple of weeks into the season we have signed a couple and run out of cash. Ducking and diving in the loan market is the only thing that will save our season now.
Reading various reports over the last couple of days it makes me wonder where the money is coming from to sign him. Best I don’t get my hopes up.
What did your source say about our ‘interest’?
But unless we sell presumably we can’t afford him anyway as per Parrott? My faith and optimism have drained away. Even if no one else goes we are atleast 3 short of a decent matchday squad and with little money to buy anyone. Better pray for some great loan deals or more play now buy later ones like Piroe.
From what you describe he is an attacking midfielder, which we desperately need to fill the no 10 void. However I don’t understand why he would be replacing Alvarez and Magassa? If they go, then we need another defensive midfielder as well.
Him favouring whu will make no difference it will all come down to pricel
Hope it does happen as you are right this is the type of player we need, I will only believe it when he has a Hammers shirt on!