West Ham United are accelerating their plans for the crucial January transfer window, with manager Nuno Espirito Santo identifying key targets to bolster his struggling squad's fight for Premier League survival.
Hammers Face £40m Demand for Wolves Striker
The London club have learned the asking price for one of their primary striker targets, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Jorgen Strand Larsen. According to reports, Wolves will consider offers in the region of £40 million for the Norwegian international.
Despite scoring just once in 15 Premier League appearances this season, Strand Larsen's impressive debut campaign in England – where he netted 14 league goals – has kept him on West Ham's radar. The 25-year-old is under contract at Molineux until 2030, giving his current club significant negotiating power.
West Ham, however, are reportedly hesitant to meet that valuation. The club's recent history in the striker market, including the £27 million signing of Niclas Fullkrug who is now departing for AC Milan, has been a painful lesson in misjudged investments.
Nuno Eyes Reunion with 'Unstoppable' Fulham Winger
A potentially more straightforward deal is emerging for Fulham winger Adama Traore. The 29-year-old speedster is a known quantity to Nuno Espirito Santo, having played under him during their time together at Wolves.
Traore has found minutes hard to come by at Craven Cottage this term, starting only two Premier League matches and featuring for just eight minutes across Fulham's last six outings. This lack of game time could facilitate a move.
While his end product in terms of goals and assists has often been criticised, Traore's raw pace and direct style – once labelled 'unstoppable' by Pep Guardiola – offer the kind of drive Nuno is seeking. Respected journalist David Ornstein has indicated that West Ham are preparing an offer for the Spaniard.
A Window Critical for Survival
The January window is shaping up to be pivotal for the Hammers. Despite an improvement in results since Nuno replaced Graham Potter, the team remain in the relegation zone as of Christmas, having conceded 35 goals while scoring only 19.
The board is expected to back their manager in the market, with the departure of Fullkrug freeing up both funds and a squad space. Securing additional firepower and creativity will be the absolute priority as West Ham battle to secure their top-flight status for the remainder of the campaign.
