Looking in-depth at one of the highlighted midfielder targets from our earlier report, it is clear to see why West Ham rate Real Sociedad’s Brais Mendez.
Normally, he’d be out of our league financially after the splurge that West Ham undertook which spent £140 million last summer on ten players – however the situation involving Nayef Aguerd’s inclusion in the deal means it is a tantalising opportunity to sell Aguerd, offset his value from the price of Mendez and get the Moroccan’s wages off the payroll.
And of course, bring in a 27 year old attacking player of real quality.
Mendez moved from Celta Vigo to Real Sociedad in 2022 and has been highly successful in a right-sided or central attacking midfield role. On his arrival at Sociedad, totalfootballanalysis.com wrote:“Brais Méndez (184cm/6’0”, 76kg/167lbs) is a versatile attacking midfielder capable of playing on the wings and centrally behind the front line..Méndez is a very aggressive presser, constantly looking to regain possession with maximum effort…Méndez [is] a near post threat from corners especially. His height makes him an aerial threat when drifting to the near post, with his technical ability to flick the ball in from lower deliveries also dangerous. The height and aerial ability can help his ability to win second balls.”
Regularly attacking between the lines, he is seen as a genuine box to box midfielder with pace enough to defend and height to win aeriel duels from set pieces.
If Steidten or Sullivan – whoever is handling transfers this window – can succeed in bringing him on board then West Ham will have a significant upgrade on their existing slow, stodgy midfield.
Whether Mendez can fill Lucas Paquetá’s creative shoes is another matter: With the Brazilian way off form and unlikely to return any time soon, a signing such as Mendez is crucial to both protect the back four and transition West Ham up the pitch into faster, more fluid attacks.
