West Ham set to re-sign former academy star with ‘deal done’

West Ham’s summer has been shaped by the need to build a squad capable of returning to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Relegation ended their 14-year stay in the top flight, but the club kept faith with Nuno Espírito Santo and handed him the task of leading an immediate promotion challenge.

There has been no shortage of money moving through the London Stadium.

Mateus Fernandes joined Tottenham for £85 million, while Crysencio Summerville completed a move to Al Hilal worth an initial £55 million, and Freddie Potts also left for Club Brugge.

The Fernandes and Summerville deals alone brought in more than £150 million when potential bonuses are included, giving West Ham the freedom to reshape Nuno’s squad.

The approach has still been measured rather than flashy.

Keiber Lamadrid’s permanent move was completed following his loan spell, while Joel Veltman arrived on a free transfer to add experience and composure at the back.

Manor Solomon then joined from Tottenham in a deal worth an initial £5 million. The winger made an immediate impact by scoring at Burnley, although the Hammers allowed a two-goal advantage to slip in a frustrating 2-2 draw.

REUTERS/Craig Brough

Arne Engels has been the biggest incoming deal so far, with the Belgium international arriving from Celtic for a reported £22 million, smashing the EFL transfer record and giving Nuno another technical midfielder.

The early signs have shown promise, but also a need for greater depth.

West Ham beat Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup before drawing at Turf Moor, and Nuno has admitted that further reinforcements are required.

The next arrival will be very different from the others, and it’ll also bring one of the club’s own back to where his football education began.

West Ham agree deal to re-sign former academy star Divine Mukasa

Fabrizio Romano confirms that West Ham have reached an agreement with Man City to re-sign Divine Mukasa on loan.

The teenager is expected to complete medical checks after City cleared the temporary switch, but the Hammers have not secured the right to purchase him permanently.

For Mukasa, this is far more than a routine loan.

The 18-year-old spent 10 years at West Ham’s academy after joining at the age of five. He grew up in the club’s system and was part of the outstanding youth group which won the FA Youth Cup in 2023.

Mukasa left later that year to join Man City, ending a decade-long association with the Hammers. He then collected another FA Youth Cup medal in his first season in Manchester.

The attacking midfielder has since stepped into senior football, making six City appearances before gaining valuable Championship experience with Leicester City during the second half of last season.

City recently extended Mukasa’s contract until 2030, potentially explaining why a permanent clause has not been included.

However, West Ham are getting back a player who understands the club better than most new signings ever could.

Three years after leaving, Mukasa is returning home with senior experience and a genuine opportunity to play a part in the promotion push.