West Ham United have raised around £95million from selling two central midfielders this summer, but Nuno Espírito Santo now needs to rebuild the area before the Championship season begins.
The case for Arne Engels to West Ham has become stronger following the departures of Mateus Fernandes and Freddie Potts. ReadWestHam reported on Wednesday that the Hammers are preparing another improved offer for Engels, with personal terms already understood to have been agreed.
Celtic have resisted West Ham’s approaches so far. However, the midfielder appears capable of providing several qualities Nuno has lost during a dramatic summer.
West Ham have created a midfield problem
West Ham’s relegation made retaining Fernandes difficult, but they extracted an enormous fee from his departure.
Sky Sports confirmed Tottenham paid £85million for the Portugal international. Fernandes had been one of West Ham’s best ball carriers and provided athleticism through the centre of the pitch.
Potts then followed him out of the London Stadium this week. ReadWestHam reported on Wednesday that his move to Club Brugge was worth around £10million.
Losing Potts is different to losing Fernandes, but it removes another energetic midfielder from Nuno’s squad. Potts made 25 first-team appearances last season and had even captained West Ham during pre-season.
West Ham have therefore banked significant money, but their central midfield is considerably lighter.
Why Arne Engels to West Ham could work
Engels would not simply recreate Fernandes’ role. That could actually work in West Ham’s favour.
The Belgium international is comfortable receiving possession in midfield and can dictate attacks without needing to carry the ball over long distances. His delivery from dead balls would give Nuno another route to creating chances against Championship sides defending deep.
Engels also brings end product. FotMob records five goals and three assists from 2,010 Scottish Premiership minutes last season, while his chance creation ranks highly among midfielders in the competition.
He is only 22, but already has Bundesliga and European experience. Celtic signed him from Augsburg in 2024 after he had made more than 50 appearances in Germany.
That profile feels particularly relevant for West Ham. Nuno needs players capable of helping the club immediately without constructing a squad built only for one Championship campaign.
Engels could give Nuno greater control
West Ham should expect to dominate possession far more regularly this season than during their Premier League relegation campaign.
That changes what Nuno requires from midfield. West Ham will regularly encounter compact defensive blocks, meaning progressing possession cleanly and creating from central areas will become increasingly important.
Engels appears suited to that responsibility. He can operate as an attacking number eight while still contributing defensively, although West Ham would benefit from positioning a more defensive midfielder alongside him.
Mohamadou Kanté could eventually provide that protection. A partnership containing Kanté’s defensive instincts and Engels’ ability in possession would give Nuno a very different midfield from the one which ended last season.
West Ham have made good money from Fernandes and Potts. The important part now is how effectively it is reinvested.
At around £25million, Engels would still represent a major Championship investment. However, securing a 22-year-old Belgium international with Champions League experience could provide West Ham with a midfielder capable of contributing to both a promotion challenge and what comes afterwards.
