Ezechiel Banzwhozi?

West Ham United have reportedly agreed their first signing of 2025 with OH Leuven to sign highly-rated Belgium midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi.

Banzuzi is expected to complete his move to East London by the end of the week, with his medical scheduled in the next 24/48 hours after both parties reached the agreement of a total of £13,000,000. With a £10,000,000 million fee upfront and a further potential of £3,000,000 million in add-ons.

The 19-year-old is said to be joining the Hammers after we've beaten other teams around Europe for his signature. The talented youth player had previously agreed personal terms with AS Monaco earlier on this window, but it was stalled after he'd heard there was interest from West Ham.

Banzuzi primarily plays a box-to-box role and likes to drive the ball into more advanced positions; he's currently played 22 matches this season, scoring two goals and assisting five. His main strengths come through his aerial ability, which, standing at 6'3, should come as no surprise, as well as his tackling ability, which makes him stand out from the rest.

The Hammers have been crying out for a young, talented midfielder who can push the ball up the field and help control the game; his player profile has been compared to now Aston Villa's Amadou Onana, who West Ham previously battled to sign before his move to Everton for £33 million.

It's a different strategy approach to how West Ham has normally operated, usually signing big-name players who are well-known, such as Fullkrug, Soler, Todibo etc.

Someone who's slightly flown under the radar and doesn't cost a ludicrous amount of money is what the club should be aiming for, and it's exactly what they've done here. This is one of the few players that Potter wanted the club to sign in January.

When the move is to be finalised, Ezechiel Banzuzi will join an exclusive list of Belgium players to play for West Ham, which currently totals at three. Those players being Franck Moussa, Ruud Boffin and Francois van der Elst.