Ruben Amorim has dropped a big transfer hint involving a Manchester United player linked with West Ham as speculation intensifies over a January move.
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is already making plans to strengthen his side in the January transfer window.
Manchester United spent big in the summer but look like they could do with reinforcements too.
Ruben Amorim is under huge pressure to keep the Man United job as he struggles for any kind of consistency since taking over from Erik ten Hag a year ago.
Nuno wants Man United star at West Ham
His fellow Portuguese Nuno has gone out of the Nottingham Forest frying pan and into the West Ham fire by taking on the challenge of keeping the Hammers in the Premier League.
What has become perfectly clear is that he will need help.
The Hammers’ new head coach has already identified where West Ham need to strengthen most in the winter window.
In fact Nuno has warned the Hammers board they must sign him a striker as soon as January rolls around.
Nuno Espirito Santo during Arsenal v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
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That is where Manchester United might come into the equation.
Within days of arriving in east London, Nuno was linked with January moves for a number of forwards.
Gabriel Jesus, Franculino Dju and even Real Madrid’s Endrick are all said to be West Ham targets while Ivan Toney has been linked with a loan move too.
One player that continues to be linked is Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee.
Amorim admits West Ham target Zirkzee does want move
Dutch forward Zirkzee now finds himself on the periphery at Manchester United after the signings of Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
Nuno is reportedly a big fan of the powerful forward.
It is claimed West Ham are ‘definitely there’ in the race to sign Zirkzee.
Zirkzee told West Ham exactly what they want to hear when his camp let it be known he is open to a January move in a bid to win back his place in the Holland squad for the World Cup at the end of the season.
Now the Hammers have received mixed messages out of Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim holds hands with Manchester United star Joshua Zirkzee
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Amorim has admitted the Man United star linked with West Ham does want a move.
Addressing reports Zirkzee could leave amid Manchester United amid links to West Ham, Amorim concedes the player is not happy with his lack of game time and wants to play with the World Cup on the horizon.
He also stated that the striker has been making it clear to his agent he wants a move away in January.
But doing a deal may be more difficult than the Hammers anticipate given Amorim’s current stance on letting Zirkzee go.
A loan with an option or obligation would make sense for all parties.
Especially if Man United reinforce their forward line further in the winter window.
“Zirkzee and Mainoo are our players,” Amorim said, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
“We need everyone to have a good season.
“Some players are not playing, there’s noise, news… some want to play.
“Like you said, there’s a World Cup. There are agents that listen to the players talking all the time.”
🚨⚠️ Rúben Amorim: “Zirkzee and Mainoo are our players. We need everyone to have a good season”.
“Some players are not playing, there’s noise, news… some want to play. Like you said, there's a World Cup. There are agents that listen to the players talking all the time”. pic.twitter.com/lw6rTVPziS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 19, 2025
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It remains to be seen what kind of budget Nuno has in January.
Although the new Hammers boss has been assured he will be given funds once he has decided what areas of the team need strengthening.