West Ham have several goals in mind as they look to strengthen relegation-chasing manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad when the transfer window reopens in the new year.
West Ham are stepping up their recruitment plans ahead of the January transfer window, with signing a new center forward one of the club’s top priorities for Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Portuguese head coach recently oversaw back-to-back home Premier League wins against Newcastle and Burnley, but has not been given an attacking role since being replaced by Graham Potter in late September.
But discussions over a potential transfer are currently raging behind the scenes, with London Stadium bosses planning to back their manager in the winter market.
FC Midtjylland striker Franklino Djou has been in the spotlight after West Ham sought to establish terms on a permanent contract at the end of the summer.
Sources in Denmark say the Irons did indeed see Midtjylland reject an informal offer for the Guinea-Bissau international, but the player remains on the team’s radar after scoring 19 goals in all competitions this season.
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Importantly, the 21-year-old will not feature in next month’s African Cup of Nations, but if West Ham are to formally show an interest, they are expected to face stiff competition for his role from across the continent. A number of clubs, including Villarreal and Como, are also closely following his development.
Midtjylland are expected to demand Denmark’s record transfer fee for Dju in 2023, potentially surpassing the £22m plus £4m package FC Nordsjæland received from dual-owned RWD Molenbeek and Lyon with Ghanaian attacker Ernesto Nuama.
Manchester United frontman Joshua Zirksee has played just 82 minutes in the Premier League this season, but would be an option to be evaluated if the Red Devils make him available as German target man Niklas Furkrük looks to return to the Bundesliga.
Wolfsburg and Augsburg are the first two German clubs to register an interest with his agent ROOF, but West Ham’s financial demands need to be met and formal negotiations have yet to take place.
Winger Luis Guilherme could also be on his way, along with fans from Botafogo, Feyenoord and Porto.
The East London side are also keen to sign Koby Mainu on loan, but again there is no guarantee he will be allowed to leave United in January, with Italian champions Napoli remaining keen to pursue the England international as they hope to reignite their World Cup dreams.
The Hammers are also keen to strengthen their backline with Nuno, with Lille centre-back Alexandro also on their shortlist.
It is thought that the French side are set to demand a premium price for the 26-year-old Brazil international and may struggle to accept the idea of selling one of their most valuable assets midway through the season.
There are also questions about whether Alexandro, who has attracted suitors in Italy, would be willing to trade Ligue 1 for a relegation battle in the Premier League in the months ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Reports that Villarreal winger Manor Solomon (who owns Tottenham) is being linked to West Ham are understood to be credible, although Solomon is not currently considered a key target as the Irons only have one loan spot left in the Premier League.
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