Every club in the world knows the winter transfer window is notoriously difficult to do business in. Teams understandably want to protect their assets, reluctant to strengthen a rival. For West Ham United, though, this window is an opportunity to bring in players who can help Nuno Espírito Santo implement his game plan as effectively as possible.
One potential advantage for the Hammers is that it’s a World Cup year, meaning players on the fringes of their current teams might become available as they look to secure a seat on the plane to North America in the summer. It’s an approach that has worked for West Ham before – Jesse Lingard in January 2021 being the clearest example. The former Manchester United man arrived with a point to prove and produced the purplest of purple patches as he pushed for a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro squad.
The Midfield Dilemma: High-Profile Loans vs. Homegrown Talent
I expect the Irons to be fishing in similar waters for players like Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee, both admired by the club. Mainoo would add more legs to the midfield, and his combative style suits the system Nuno is trying to build. However, I do have reservations about a signing like Mainoo. A loan of that calibre likely requires guaranteed minutes, and that could risk stunting the development of Freddie Potts, who is forming a promising partnership with Matheus Fernandes. It also raises questions about the futures of Magassa and even George Earthy, who is working his way back to full fitness with the U21s.
There are so many factors to consider when investing in a player, especially on a straight loan. You have to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Yes, you may benefit in the short term – but what does that mean for the long-term development of your own players, the boys who have been at the club for years or who have committed to the project for the future? It has taken Nuno a while to find a midfield that clicks, but in Potts, Fernandes and Paquetá, he finally seems to have established a useful trio.
The Striker Search: Replacing the Fullkrug Experiment
For me, a midfielder should be viewed as a late-window add-on, not the first priority. The more pressing need is clearly up front. Rumours are gathering pace that Fullkrug is looking to leave the club in the January window, with West Ham hoping his departure can raise funds. If that happens, I would be looking to bring in two strikers: one long-term project and one who can make an immediate impact. The experiment of replacing Callum Wilson with Tomáš Souček has been surprisingly fruitful, but it still doesn’t feel like the long-term answer.
The excellently named Promise David has been mentioned frequently in recent weeks, and he certainly looks an intriguing addition. Standing at 6ft 5in, the Canadian international has enjoyed a strong season with Belgian side Union SG, scoring six goals in 13 league games and adding a couple more in the Champions League. He’s not the finished article, and this would definitely fall into the “punt” category, but he has all the attributes to thrive in a Nuno system. The only concern, from what I’ve read, is that his passing and link-up play need refining. But at the touted price of £17 million, he could be a smart pickup for us.
Exploring the Championship: A Proven Path to Success
Perhaps our’ most successful January signing in recent years was Jarrod Bowen, now club captain, who arrived from Hull City in 2020. The Championship remains a market West Ham should be exploring this window. I’ve heard tentative links to Haji Wright at Coventry, who is having an excellent season for the league leaders, but it’s hard to imagine the Sky Blues selling one of their prized assets while chasing promotion.
My attention would turn to South Wales, where young Slovenian striker Zan Vipotnik has impressed at Swansea since arriving from Bordeaux in 2023. He is enjoying a breakout season, scoring six in 15, and looks ready for the next step. With his contract running to 2028 and Swansea languishing near the bottom of the Championship, this could feel reminiscent of the Bowen deal in 2020.
Reinforcing the Rearguard: Seeking the “Dawson Effect”
Moving to the defence, West Ham’s back line has come under constant scrutiny this season, with Max Kilman and Todibo struggling to replicate their positive first campaign. It’s clear they need help, and I suspect Nuno can see that too. The club needs a leader – a bruising, no-nonsense, “see it, head it” centre-half to stem the flow of goals we’ve been conceding. A Craig Dawson-type signing, essentially. Names like Charlie Cresswell keep surfacing, and while the Toulouse defender has youth on his side, I’m not convinced he brings the commanding, experienced presence we need right now. He feels more like a summer addition.
In terms of experienced, available centre-halves, I’d be looking at players approaching the end of their contracts to see if a deal can be done. Don’t get me wrong: I like Cresswell, and if a move materialised, I wouldn’t be against it. I just feel that, given our current position in the league, we need someone who can marshal a defence immediately.
The AFCON Factor and Full-Back Coverage
Full-back is another area requiring attention. With Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Malick Hadji Diouf heading to AFCON, and Ollie Scarles injured, the only available options are Kyle Walker-Peters and Igor. Bayern Munich’s Sacha Boey is the latest name linked with a cut-price move after falling out of favour in Germany. Boey, 25, joined Bayern from Galatasaray in 2024, is a French youth international, and is known for his pace and combative style, predominantly down the right. Walker-Peters’ versatility means West Ham can assess both left and right-back options this month and pick the right profile.
The Mendes Connection and the Final Push
I expect the Hammers to be busy this window – it would be strange if they weren’t. The club is navigating yet another rebuild, shifting back to a more compact, low-block style after a summer of signing players for Potter’s possession-based system. Nuno will need to bring in some of “his” players to make the transition work. And given his strong relationship with super-agent Jorge Mendes, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a late-window Portuguese or Brazilian arrival. My guess is that the midfielder who comes in towards the end of the month will have links to Mendes.
Above all, the Hammers could really do with a Bowen or Lingard-style impact signing to help pull them out of trouble. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that when West Ham are up against the wall, David Sullivan somehow manages to find the funds to get a crucial deal over the line. This window isn’t just a chance to plug gaps – it’s an opportunity to reshape the season. And West Ham can’t afford to waste it.
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