West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo has made clear that the club's record £22m signing of Arne Engels is part of a deliberate, forward-looking recruitment strategy, stating openly that the Belgian midfielder has been brought in with the long-term vision of playing at the highest level.

"He's a fantastic player," Nuno told BBC Radio London. "We were happy that we were able to get Arne with us. He's a very talented player, who gives us a lot of options in the midfield area. He's someone we truly believe who is going to come in, step in and help us. He's a good midfielder and has all-round ability, technique, talent, and he's a hard worker."

Nuno was characteristically direct when asked about the broader ambition underpinning the signing: "All the players who have joined us, the vision is much, much further, so if our ambition is to go back to the Premier League, we have to sign players who we believe can be there also."

A record investment in midfield quality

Engels, 22, arrives from Celtic having contributed 17 goals and 22 assists across 100 appearances for the Scottish club over two seasons. That output, from a central midfield position, underlines why West Ham were prepared to break their transfer record to secure him. The fee, understood to be £22m, represents a significant statement of intent for a Championship club working to rebuild a top-flight roster in the second tier.

The Belgium international is set to make his debut against Charlton this Saturday, giving West Ham supporters their first look at a player Nuno believes will be central to the club's push for promotion and the seasons that follow.

Squad balance the priority for Nuno

Engels is not the only attacking reinforcement West Ham have brought through the door this summer. England Under-19 striker Divine Mukasa has returned to the club on loan from Manchester City, while Dutch forward Joel Piroe has joined on a temporary basis from Leeds.

Nuno was keen to stress that the recruitment drive is about quality and variety rather than simply adding bodies: "We should have different profiles in different positions. It's about having a squad that gives us all the possible options and solutions. It's not about numbers, it's about profiles and in the end, what we want to achieve is to have a very balanced squad."

That philosophy is reflected in the Engels deal. Rather than targeting a Championship-proven midfielder on a short-term fix, the club have invested heavily in a player whose ceiling, according to their own manager, sits well above the second tier. It is a calculated gamble: a young, technically gifted player who must hit the ground running in a division that demands physicality and consistency, even if the broader project is pointed at something greater.

What it means for West Ham's promotion push

West Ham's ambitions in the Championship are clear. The squad Nuno is assembling, combining established Championship experience with players recruited for their top-flight potential, suggests a club that sees its current situation as a temporary one. Engels, with his creativity and goal contribution from midfield, offers the kind of dynamism that can unlock defences at this level.

Whether the Belgian can translate his Celtic form immediately to the rigours of the Championship will be watched closely by supporters and rivals alike. His debut against Charlton on Saturday will offer an early indication of just how quickly he can settle. For West Ham, the stakes are considerable: at £22m, Engels is not merely a statement signing but a player on whose shoulders a significant part of the club's promotion hopes now rest.

According to the BBC report, Nuno's position is straightforward. The club are building for the future while competing hard in the present, and they expect Engels to be a cornerstone of both ambitions.

Frequently asked

How much did West Ham pay for Arne Engels?
West Ham signed Arne Engels for a Championship record fee of £22m, according to BBC Sport, making him the most expensive signing in the club's time in the second tier.
Where did Arne Engels play before joining West Ham?
Engels joined West Ham from Celtic, where he spent two seasons and recorded 17 goals and 22 assists in 100 appearances for the Scottish club.
When will Arne Engels make his West Ham debut?
Engels is expected to make his debut for West Ham against Charlton on Saturday, according to BBC Sport.