Yunus Musah, the box-to-box USA midfielder and former Arsenal academy player, has been identified as the replacement for Declan Rice.
The 20-year-old Valencia star has caught the attention of numerous Premier League clubs and it’s clear to see why. Musah it appears, can do it all. He’s strong, fast, passes inventively, travels well with the ball and can win it back too.
And in a bizarre twist of fate it transpires that the player used to represent Arsenal who are favourites to sign Rice.
Musah has featured for Valencia 35 times this season, he has impressed on the pitch, despite the club’s struggle with relegation. The New York born player has been one of the few positives for his team during a season of struggle.
Musah joined Arsenal at the age of nine but left at the age of 16 before making an appearance. He made his debut for Valencia a year later and he hasn’t looked back since. The young midfielder also featured for the USA during the World Cup in Qatar
The USA’s gain was England’s loss because he represented the Three Lions at youth level, playing for the U15 to U18 teams. However, Musah’s allegiance eventually shifted to the US.
West Ham’s interest in Musah is certainly welcome although it is not obvious who is sanctioning the move. David Moyes future is uncertain, whilst owner David Sullivan is believed to be hiring a director of football.
Quite where this leaves West Ham’s recruitment strategy is anyone’s guess, but it’s surely a disadvantage. If Rob Newman has scouted and recommend Musah, who will be the person rubber stamping the transfer.
There are more questions than answers in the bigger picture regarding transfers at West Ham. However, Valencia’s Yunus Musah does indeed look to be a viable choice as the Declan Rice replacement.
West Ham will have to spend any money for Rice wisely however. My own choice would be to someone like Musah, keep Lucas Paqueta and also purchase a holding midfielder.
Musah does have the look of a high energy David Moyes type player so it may well prove to be a good signing. Whether the manager departs at the end of the season or someone else arrives, Musah looks like a good squad addition.