One suspects that if anyone at West Ham United knows what to look for in a young midfielder, beyond head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, it is Mark Noble.

The club’s sporting director played no fewer than 550 games in the centre of the pitch for his beloved Hammers between 2004 and 2022 after all, wearing the captain’s armband for a lot of those and leading by example as only he can.

Now, part of Mark Noble’s remit is to ensure the pathway exists for the next generation, while overseeing the development of their famously fertile academy.

Freddie Potts dreams of emulating the West Ham legend. A revelation since he forced his way into the first-team picture, arguably only Declan Rice has made an impact to rival that of the Barking-born 22-year-old in recent times.

Another of Noble’s roles, since swapping his studs for a suit, is to preside over the recruitment department.

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And according to reports which emerged this week, the West Ham United icon has identified Zulte Waregem’s Tochukwu Nnadi as another who, next to Potts, could potentially represent the future of the claret and blue midfield.

Mark Noble reportedly wants Tochukwu Nnadi at West Ham United

The skipper-turned-sporting director has been known to recommend players to the board if he feels they have something to offer.

Monaco’s Axel Disasi impressed Noble during a scouting mission on French soil, before London rivals Chelsea snapped up the now out-of-favour defender for a colossal £38 million.

Disasi was already a senior French international by the summer of 2023. When it comes to young Tochukwu Nnadi though, capped by Nigeria at Under-20 level but no higher, West Ham may be ahead of the curve.

According to Africa Foot, a source who specialise in the futures of up-and-coming continental prospects, Nnadi has been scouted by the Hammers over in Belgium on a number of occasions this season.

They even go as far as to say that West Ham have discussed a potential £3.5 million January transfer, alongside a five-year contract. Noble reportedly ‘appreciates the Nigerian’s qualities’, and is ready to throw his weight behind what could be a bargain of a deal.

What’s more, according to a source close to the former Botev Plovdiv talent; ‘Tochukwu is a player with high potential who wants to progress with a move to the Premier League. It has always been his dream to play in the Premier League one day’.

West Ham might just make that ‘dream’ come true.

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Zulte Waregem enforcer Nnadi would bring real aggression to West Ham

As it stands, West Ham’s alleged interest is yet to be corroborated outside of Africa Foot. This is one to watch over the coming weeks, as January becomes more and more vivid on the horizon.

It remains to be seen if those initial reports hold any water.

One thing is for sure, though. If West Ham are serious about revolutionising their recruitment strategy, focusing less on expensive, Premier League ‘proven’ options and instead taking a leaf out of Brentford, Bournemouth or Brighton’s book, signing 22-year-old Nnadi would help to signpost such a change.

West Ham have already signed El Hadji Malick Diouf, another young African talent boasting considerable potential and re-sale value. Talks were reportedly held with Abduljalil Kamaldeen, too, although Chelsea -surprise surprise – now seem to be closing in on the Nigeria wonderkid.

As for the qualities Nnadi would potentially bring to East London, his aggression and work-rate is certain to have appealed to Noble, presuming Africa Foot were right when they said the sporting director had taken a liking to the Zulte Waregem ‘vacuum cleaner’.

Nicknamed because no one hoovers up possession quite like him in the squad. But an avid collector of yellow cards too – 30 in just over 100 appearances since moving to Europe – his timing still needs to improve.

“That’s partly his strength,” coach Sven Vandenbroeck told Het Laaste Nieuws. “He’s one of the few who stands out in this team. We need him, but of course I also realise that the number of cards he receives could be a problem.”

“Every referee seems to want to give me a yellow card!” Nnadi said with a knowing chuckle, having picked up a suspension as early as September on the back of five cautions in six appearances.

“I just do my job, but maybe sometimes I should be a bit more sensible. I’m not supposed to have fifteen yellow cards by the end of the season!”