Nuno Espirito Santo's Premier League Vision with West Ham's Record Signing Engels

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo has made it clear: Arne Engels has not arrived in east London to be a Championship star. He has been signed to drag the club back to the Premier League – and stay there.

The 22-year-old Belgian, a £22m arrival from Celtic and a record buy from the Championship, is expected to make his debut against Charlton on Saturday. Nuno is already talking about him as a pillar of the club’s future, not a short-term fix.

“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.”

Those numbers back the excitement. Engels scored 17 goals and produced 22 assists in 100 appearances for Celtic over two seasons, a steady stream of end product from midfield that West Ham have been crying out for.

Long-term vision, not a quick patch

Nuno has been consistent since taking over: promotion will only come with a squad built for the level above. Engels is the clearest expression of that idea so far.

“All the players who have joined us, the vision is much, much further,” he said. “So if our ambition is to go back to the Premier League, we have to sign players who we believe can be there also.”

This is not a gamble on potential with a view to selling on. It is recruitment with the Premier League in mind – profile first, division second.

Attack rebuilt with youth and variety

Engels is not the only new face. Nuno has moved decisively to reshape his forward line, adding different threats and ages to the mix.

England Under-19 striker Divine Mukasa has returned to West Ham on loan from Manchester City for the season, a homecoming of sorts for a player the club know well. Dutch forward Joel Piroe has also joined on loan from Leeds, another attacker with proven Championship experience and a sharp eye for goal.

The idea is clear: no more one-dimensional front line, no reliance on a single style or target man.

“We should have different profiles in different positions. It's about having a squad that gives us all the possible options and solutions,” Nuno explained. “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.”

A record signing in Engels, a returning prospect in Mukasa, a seasoned finisher in Piroe. Nuno has his pieces. Now the question is whether this rebuilt West Ham can turn that long-term Premier League vision into something immediate, starting against Charlton.