West Ham United are seemingly set to be extremely busy in the January transfer window.
Whether Julen Lopetegui will still be in charge of West Ham by the time the January transfer window opens remains to be seen.
But it shouldn’t matter who is actually at the helm, given the way that transfers are handled now at the London Stadium, with Tim Steidten taking the lead role.
West Ham are already plotting a move to bolster our centre-back ranks with Tosin Adarabioyo apparently on the radar.
Tim Steidten technical director of West Ham United ahead of the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Aston Villa FC at London Stadiu...
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
However, Steidten will undoubtedly have his eyes on many more players.
And one really exciting name has just been linked with a January move to West Ham.
West Ham try to bring Juventus star Douglas Luiz back to England
Douglas Luiz is apparently firmly on the West Ham radar right now.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport (print edition December 7th, page 12), the Hammers are battling it out with Fulham to bring Douglas Luiz back to the Premier League.
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West Ham are said to have actually made an official enquiry for the Brazilian, and Juventus would prefer to sell him permanently, rather than loan him out.
The 26-year-old left Aston Villa to join Juve in the summer for a fee worth around £42 million (BBC).
However, he’s had to make do with limited game-time since swapping the west Midlands for Turin.
He has played just 312 minutes in all competitions for them so far this season.
So the South American midfielder may well be tempted into a move back to the Premier League, as long as he’s guaranteed regular action at the London Stadium.
Douglas Luiz of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Turin, Italy.
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And he would add so much to our central midfield ranks.
Douglas Luiz perfect for West Ham
The Hammers engine room is currently desperately lacking when it comes it power, energy and athleticism.
Luiz has those three attributes in abundance, and he is an exceptionally gifted footballer from a technical perspective.
He’s not afraid of getting stuck in either, and never shirks his defensive responsibilities.
The former Aston Villa star would compliment the likes of Carlos Soler and Lucas Paqueta in the middle of the park.
During his final season at Villa Park, Luiz bagged nine goals and five assists in 35 Premier League games (Who Scored).
So he clearly has real output inside the final third as well as being a terrific all-round midfielder.
I have no doubts that Douglas Luiz would take West Ham to a whole new level entirely.
And I really hope there is some substance to this rumour.