West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui is looking to elevate his midfield with the addition of former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kanté, a move that could see the World Cup and Champions League winner play alongside Ghana midfield sensation Mohammed Kudus. 

As announced by The Guardian and confirmed by L’Équipe, West Ham have started discussions with a hope of bringing the defensive midfielder back to the Premier League.

The Hammers have embarked on an ambitious project while the Frenchman still has two years of contract with Al-Ittihad who do not wish to part with him at all. Laurent Blanc, the club’s new coach, is counting on his compatriot.

The former Chelsea player spoke of a return to Europe at a press conference at the end of June with the France team:

“No, Europe is not over. In Arabia, it’s a new football, a new experience. Finding these feelings again with the French team is beautiful, it touches me. But that’s not a question I’m asking myself today.” said Kante.

A return to the Premier League would not displease the player, but true to his character, N’Golo Kanté will not force a departure from Saudi Arabia, aware that his full season there has opened the doors to the national team again.

At 33, the Paris native still hopes to be able to play for the national team in the coming months.

While the potential arrival of Kante will definitely improve West Ham, it will also present manager Lopetegui with some selection headaches in the midfield department. N’Golo Kante could start alongside the Edson Alvarez, with Tomas Soucek possibly benched.

In the offensive zone, Guilherme on the left wing flanked by Ghana playmaker Muhammad Kudus or James Ward-Prowse and having the option to play Nelson on the right seems to be the best set up the manager will deploy.

Possible West Ham XI:

GK Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Zouma, Emerson, Kante, Alvarez, Guilherme, Kudus, Bowen, Antonio