---
title: "West Ham: Hans Vanaken wants to join Hammers"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-hans-vanaken-transfer-news-latest-rumours-moyes/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2022-08-22T18:15:41Z"
modified: "2022-08-22T18:15:41Z"
---

# West Ham: Hans Vanaken wants to join Hammers

**[West Ham United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/) transfer target Hans Vanaken has publicly stated that he wants to join the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) club this summer.**

### **The Lowdown**

With the Hammers looking relatively stale in the middle of the park amid [some criticism](https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiq9KuX3dr5AhXJSkEAHZazBU8QFnoECBkQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.westhamzone.com%2Fexclusives%2Fpundit-declan-rice-new-role-affected-tomas-soucek-form-hopes-he-doesnt-leave-west-ham-united%2F&usg=AOvVaw2HsbyeA6NAzVRrRlZbwn0B) in recent months, the east London club are looking to bring in an extra player in that position to the London Stadium.

According to [reports](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-transfer-news-vanaken-emerson-kehrer-b1018791.html), West Ham have identified Club Brugge star Vanaken as a priority ahead of the transfer window closing in just over a week’s time.

As per [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/19/football-transfer-rumours-real-madrid-target-bruno-guimaraes), David Moyes’ side had an initial £8m bid rejected for the 29-year-old. However, it doesn’t appear that they are giving up the chase any time soon, for they have already [upped their bid](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/19/football-transfer-rumours-real-madrid-target-bruno-guimaraes) as they hope to close in on a deal for the Belgian.

### **The Latest**

Amid speculation of a move to the Premier League, Vanaken has made public his intent to join West Ham this summer.

Speaking live to Eleven Football, as shared by Irons-focused Twitter outlet [West Ham News & Views](https://twitter.com/WestHamViews_/status/1561385300257083401), the Belgian claimed: “This may be my last chance, I want to take it. There will be new talks next week…”

[West Ham latest updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-updates-2/)

### **The Verdict**

When looking at the midfielder’s underlying statistics, it is clear to see that Vanaken has many of the attributes needed to succeed in the Premier League.

As per [FBRef](https://fbref.com/en/players/392a7aea/Hans-Vanaken), compared with positional peers across Europe’s major leagues over the past year, the 29-year-old ranks in the 99th percentile for aerials won, the 98th percentile for progressive passes and the 94th percentile for non-penalty goals and interceptions.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375613″\]

Hailed as an [‘incredible player’](https://www.walfoot.be/news/2022-08-19/carl-hoefkens-sest-exprime-longuement-a-propos-dun-eventuel-depart-de-hans-vanaken) by Club Brugge coach Carl Hoefkins, it isn’t surprising that Vanaken has caught the eye of West Ham.

However, with the September 1 deadline nearing, the Hammers will need to move quickly to bring him in, so an increased bid from GSB could emerge in the coming days.