Nuno Espirito Santo needs more than one attacking reinforcement come January.placeholder image
Nuno Espirito Santo needs more than one attacking reinforcement come January. | Getty Images
West Ham must look to be shrewd and decisive once the January transfer window opens in the New Year.
Nuno Espirito Santo will have been working hard to turn the tide at West Ham over the international break and there are the first feelings of optimism after a dire start to the season.
What is clear is that the former Wolves and Nottingham Forest manager is not currently working with a squad of his own creation. The likes of James Ward-Prowse and Jean-Clair Todibo have been left out of matchday squads while Callum Marshall was preferred from the bench over Callum Wilson against Arsenal.
Nuno will no doubt be hoping to be backed with some investment come January, but making moves in the winter window is a notoriously hard task. There are, however, two realistic swoops that could be winners for West Ham - and the club should look to make both happen.
West Ham should pursue Fulham loan deal
The first is one with the goal of immediate impact. West Ham have lacked character and drive this season and a move for Fulham winger Adama Traore could solve that.
The 29-year-old is not known for being prolific in front of goal and may not directly boost the Hammers’ goalscoring output, but he is an impact player with plenty of pace to burn. If West Ham are struggling for ideas, he is a ball carrier who can make things happen and win free kicks.
Football Insider have suggested that West Ham could make a move to bring Traore to West Ham in a reunion with Nuno - the two players previously worked together at Nottingham Forest. It’s clear that the West Ham boss loves the forward too, with reports that he tried to sign Traore at Nottingham Forest this summer.
Traore has played just 143 minutes in the Premier League for Fulham this season and it feels likely that the Cottagers could sanction a January exit. In an ideal world, West Ham could push for a loan move - the winger’s lack of consistency perhaps too big a risk for a permanent transfer.
Chelsea looking to sell rising star striker
Where a permanent transfer feels the right option is for Chelsea forward Tyrique George. Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has freshly claimed that the forward is ‘likely to leave’ and the forward looks like a future star at just 19 years old.
George saw a £22 million move to Fulham collapse in the summer, which provides a rough valuation for the Hammers. It’s a significant investment but just half what was spent on Mateus Fernandes.
Champions League and Europa League clubs are reportedly sniffing around a deal too, which highlights the feeling that George can go on to become something special. Should he do that, selling the striker on for a profit would be easy to do.
George has just one Premier League goal to his name and 11 top flight appearances, so would need nurturing, but West Ham must also be thinking long term. The current slump has not come about only in recent weeks.
What is particularly promising about George is the praise that Maresca has given to his personality. The player seems a fighter and a character that, despite his young age, could help lift potential future West Ham teammates.
Speaking as he broke into the first team with appearances off the bench last season, Maresca said: “I think he was good. I was very happy for him to make his debut. The most important thing is he was not shy because he played with personality. This is important for a young player.”
In other news, Nuno Espirito Santo tipped to offload West Ham player Graham Potter thought was 'amazing'.
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