West Ham in ‘race’ to sign Bundesliga sensation after confirmed transfer news
West Ham are interested in signing VfL Bochum starlet Cajetan Lenz as his agent speaks out about a potential move away.
West Ham are in real need of new additions to their squad in the January window after a poor start to the 2025-26 campaign.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have improved their form in recent weeks, but still currently sit 17th in the Premier League, just one point above the bottom three.
Midfield has been a key issue for the club so far this term, with youngster Freddie Potts handed chances to shine, while Guido Rodriguez looks set to leave West Ham in January after a poor start to the season.
Football Insider recently revealed that West Ham want to sign an “aggressive” midfielder in January, and they could be set to look abroad for that acquisition after a new update.
West Ham join most Bundesliga teams in tracking Cajetan Lenz
According to Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, via X, West Ham are among the clubs “monitoring” VfL Bochum youngster Cajetan Lenz.
Every Bundesliga side aside from Bayern Munich are believed to have a concrete interest in the 19-year-old with formal enquiries already put forward, while his agent Makram Naceur has confirmed the interest but insisted that he is “fully focused” on playing for Bochum.
Germany under-20 international Lenz has featured 14 times for Bochum so far this season after a breakthrough into their first-team, while he has registered two goals and one assist in the 2. Bundesliga up to now.
James Ward-Prowse is set to leave West Ham after Nuno snub
West Ham could potentially make a play to sign Lenz in the January window, but it seems more likely that he plays out his maiden senior campaign in Germany before a move next summer.
James Ward-Prowse, however, is unlikely to be content to see out the season at his current club, the Hammers, after being completely frozen out of their first-team squad by Nuno.
Everton are interested in signing Ward-Prowse, according to Football Insider’s sources, with David Moyes keen on a reunion after he signed the 31-year-old for the East London club in 2023.
Southampton are keen on re-signing Ward-Prowse after he made his name at the club, and a West Ham exit certainly seems very likely come the start of the January window.