West Ham face a critical January transfer window as they battle to climb away from the Premier League’s relegation zone, with manager Nuno Espírito Santo urgently requiring reinforcements across multiple positions.
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The east London club find themselves five points adrift of safety heading into the festive fixtures, with serious questions being asked about the squad’s quality and depth following a disastrous start to the campaign.
Nuno’s priority remains finding a proven goalscorer, with the departure of Niclas Füllkrug to AC Milan leaving the Hammers desperately short of striking options during the busiest period of the season.
The Germany international agreed to join Milan after failing to make any desired impact at West Ham, with his stay at the London Stadium marred by repeated injury problems.
West Ham have been strongly linked with Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, though competition from Crystal Palace and the striker’s seismic valuation present significant obstacles to any potential deal.
According to club insider ExWHUemployee this week, Nuno is prioritising strikers with English football experience, which explains their interest in Larsen.
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As well as the Norwegian, Coventry City duo Hadji Wright and Ellis Simms are both on Nuno’s personal list, with the latter emerging as a top target.
West Ham are also exploring options on the wing, with Fulham’s Adama Traoré attracting concrete interest from Nuno, who previously worked with the Spanish winger during their time together at Molineux.
However, with Callum Wilson and youngster Callum Marshall their only natural striking options right now, West Ham supporters are very eager to see a new number nine come through the door.
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg recently suggested that West Ham could even sign two new strikers, and it is now believed that Chelsea’s Marc Guiu has found his way onto their shortlist.
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That is according to Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips, who wrote via his Substack that the Hammers are admirers and considering a deal.
However, this is seen as an ‘odd’ development given the Spaniard cannot legally change clubs again this season, having already done so twice.
So, taking that into account, West Ham are believed to be looking at a summer deal for Guiu.
The former Barcelona sensation, still only 19, helped to fire Chelsea to the Conference League final last campaign with six goals in seven tournament appearances for the Blues.
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He was meant to spend this year on loan at Sunderland, but Enzo Maresca’s side cut his loan spell short and brought him back to Stamford Bridge to cover for the injured Liam Delap at the time.
Former Barça assistant, Albert Capellas, also called him ‘exceptional’ in his position.
While Guiu cannot sign in January, the teenage striker could well be the second of two strikers who end up joining West Ham in 2026.
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