“West Ham’s £15M ‘Paqueta Wannabe’ Signing Flops HARD – Pundit SLAMS ‘Utterly Useless’ Transfer Blunder!”

In a weekend filled with farewells at West Ham United—where Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal, and Aaron Cresswell received emotional send-offs—the dominant sentiment for Fabianski was frustration.

The veteran goalkeeper was left on the bench by manager Graham Potter, a decision that clearly did not sit well with him.

Meanwhile, over in Belgium, it appeared that Anderlecht’s Mario Stroeykens was also bidding his own goodbye.

The 20-year-old midfielder was visibly emotional as he left the pitch to a warm ovation during his side’s 3-1 home defeat to Club Brugge.

With reports linking Stroeykens to a move to West Ham, many are wondering if this marked his final appearance at Lotto Park.

Speculation has been growing that West Ham are looking to bring the Belgium Under-21 international to the London Stadium.

If Sunday’s match was indeed his last for Anderlecht, Stroeykens gave the home fans something to remember.

He scored a sensational long-range goal, smashing the ball in off the underside of the crossbar from 30 yards.

Though the goal came when Anderlecht were already trailing 3-0, it was a clear demonstration of his talent and flair.

Stroeykens has reportedly declined Anderlecht’s latest contract extension.

His current deal expires next year, and the club is said to be open to offers in the region of £17 million. With that in mind, this may be the right time for the Brussels-based club to cash in.

Belgian football pundit Filip Joos had a light-hearted take on the midfielder’s visible emotion. “If he is that emotional, he should sign a new contract!” Joos said in an interview with 90 Minutes.

While Joos acknowledged that Stroeykens isn’t dominating the Belgian Pro League in the same way former Anderlecht captain Youri Tielemans once did, he emphasized that moments like Sunday’s goal highlight the young midfielder’s potential.

“You can see his quality now,” Joos added. “If Anderlecht truly want to grow, shouldn’t they try to extend Stroeykens for another year?

Maybe promise him a transfer afterward. As a club, you have to find ways to retain your top talents.”

Joos also pointed out that Stroeykens hasn’t had an exceptional season by any stretch. Still, he questioned whether Anderlecht could realistically find a better replacement.

So far this season, Stroeykens has registered five goals and six assists—an impressive return for a young midfielder. His knack for scoring from distance and linking up play makes him a versatile threat.

With Tomas Soucek’s future at West Ham uncertain—Leeds United and Everton have reportedly shown interest—a player of Stroeykens’ profile could become a valuable asset in the Hammers’ midfield.

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri also weighed in on the potential transfer, drawing a comparison between Stroeykens and West Ham star Lucas Paquetá.

“Yes, West Ham are strongly interested in Stroeykens,” Tavolieri told Hammers News. “He’s definitely a player to keep an eye on. Signing him won’t be easy, though—many clubs are in the race.”

“But West Ham would be a great next step for him. He has qualities similar to Paquetá—technical, creative, and capable of making an impact in the final third.”

As West Ham prepare for a summer of transition, the young Belgian playmaker could be a key part of their evolving midfield.

Whether or not he’s played his final game for Anderlecht, Mario Stroeykens is a name to watch closely in the coming transfer window.