West Ham United are preparing a daring January transfer move that could significantly boost their Premier League survival prospects under manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Hammers' Resurgence Under Nuno
The east London club have shown signs of revival in recent weeks, with successive victories against Newcastle United and Burnley providing crucial momentum before the international break. These wins, accompanied by six goals scored, have lifted spirits at the London Stadium and brought the Hammers within touching distance of escaping the relegation zone.
Despite this encouraging form, the challenge remains substantial for West Ham, who have spent almost the entire campaign stranded in the bottom three. The victories came against teams with their own struggles - Newcastle are yet to win away from home this season, while Burnley were widely tipped for relegation before the campaign began.
Gabriel Jesus: The Potential Game-Changer
According to emerging reports, West Ham would be smart to pursue a loan deal for Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus when the transfer window reopens in January. The Brazilian international has become somewhat of a forgotten figure at the Emirates Stadium after suffering an ACL injury in the FA Cup back in January 2025 that kept him sidelined for the entire year.
However, there's positive news on the horizon for the 28-year-old forward. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta recently confirmed that Jesus has returned to training and could feature for the Gunners before the end of the year. Arteta described the Brazilian as "very unpredictable, full of energy, and super competitive" while emphasising the "level of hunger and desire" he would bring upon his return.
Why The Move Makes Sense For Both Parties
The potential transfer represents an opportunity that benefits all involved. For Arsenal, Jesus returns to a squad where competition for attacking places has intensified significantly. With Kai Havertz likely serving as primary backup to main striker Viktor Gyokeres, minutes could prove scarce for the Brazilian once Arteta has his full complement of attacking options available.
For West Ham, the need for additional firepower is clear and present. While Callum Wilson has contributed two goals from his eight appearances across all competitions, the 33-year-old operates on a pay-as-you-play contract due to his historical injury issues. With Niclas Fullkrug currently injured, the Hammers find themselves dangerously short of reliable striking options.
Jesus represents a potentially transformative addition. Prior to his unfortunate ACL injury, the Brazilian had rediscovered his scoring touch in spectacular fashion, netting six times in six matches during the festive period at the end of 2024. If West Ham can secure his services on loan, they'll be hoping he can replicate that form alongside established attackers like Wilson and Jarrod Bowen.
For Jesus himself, a temporary move to West Ham could provide the regular first-team football needed to stake his claim for Brazil in a World Cup year. The Hammers offer a platform where his talents would be essential rather than supplementary, potentially making this the ideal scenario for all parties involved in what could become one of the January window's most significant deals.
