West Ham United could be set to reunite David Moyes with a player that the 59-year-old knows well…
What’s the word?
According to transfer insider Dean Jones, the Irons could be ready to move for former Real Sociedad winger Adnan Januzaj, who is now a free agent. Premier League rivals Everton are also reportedly interested in the 27-year-old.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones claimed: “Januzaj and [Alexander] Isak have actually been very close throughout the summer.
“They’ve been training on their own for a lot of the summer together, they both were looking to leave Real Sociedad and they both travelled over together, and they stayed in the same hotel in London last night.
“Januzaj has been looking to join West Ham. About a month ago, it looked like that a deal might be close and then West Ham switched to other options. I’m told that negotiations are going on right now with Januzaj.”
He’s the final piece of the puzzle
As the Hammers look to complete a deal for Lucas Paqueta, for whom a verbal agreement has been reached it seems that Moyes is wasting no time with new signings as he looks to reunite with a player with whom he worked at both Manchester United and Sunderland.
A left-footed right winger, Januzaj immediately seems to offer a similar profile to Jarrod Bowen. However, when looking more closely at the two players, it appears that the England international offers much more dynamism compared to the considered finesse of the Belgian.
Bolstering a pretty thin squad is integral for Moyes, with West Ham competing in Europe again over the autumn at least, and to fill it with different profiles should enhance their chances of competing on all fronts this term.
Last season at Real Sociedad, Januzaj ranked in the top 9% for dribbles completed among positional peers in Europe's top five leagues and enjoyed cutting in from the right onto his lethal left foot for five goals and three assists.
The speedy Bowen offers more of a dynamic threat from the wing, ranking in the top 16% for non-penalty goals after 12 goals and 12 assists in the Premier League in 2021/22, whilst the likes of Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals are blessed with technical brilliance but little raw speed.
Januzaj represents a fine blend of both elements, and to secure him on a free would mark a huge coup for West Ham.
Once labelled a “special player”, the winger has plied his trade abroad and could now return to England with the ability and experience necessary to benefit the Hammers.
His experience stretches across many of Europe’s top domestic leagues and the Europa League, in which Moyes’ side came so close to reaching the final last season.
Perhaps adding this silky character to the Irons' squad can be the final piece to the puzzle for Moyes' attacking options, giving the 59-year-old the alternative profile capable of testing any defence alongside the varied wingers that Januzaj would accompany.