Nuno Espirito Santo at the London Stadium looking towards David Sullivan in a circle inset
Credit: Imago and Manh Tung, Breaking Media
Jacob Raw
Mon 20 October 2025 13:45, UK
Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping that the January transfer window comes fast at West Ham.
West Ham are set to face Brentford on Monday in the Premier League, as Nuno faces a glaring issue within his squad at the London Stadium.
Ahead of the clash, West Ham are still struggling in the striker department, as Niclas Fullkrug’s recent injury has only made matters worse.
Real Madrid’s Endrick has been linked to West Ham, but a former Hammers target has now emerged as a potential option for Nuno to pursue in the January transfer window.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo covers his mouth on the touchline.
Credit: Imago
Nuno wants former West Ham target Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee was labelled a “future West Ham player” after being linked to E20 last year, as the forward was yet again left out of Manchester United’s starting line-up for the win at Liverpool on Sunday.
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Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha have been seen as more desirable options up top over Zirkzee, as a move to West Ham is now looking more likely than ever.
Man United signed Zirkzee for just under £40m in 2024
The Dutchman hasn’t started a Premier League game this season
West Ham have had interest in Zirkzee since 2022
Fabrizio Romano has reported on the striker’s situation and confirmed the Hammers’ interest in the forward while speaking on his YouTube channel.
“At the moment, Zirkzee is fighting for his place at Man United. Now, Zirkzee is obviously not playing much and is not happy with the current game time,” he said.
“If they get to January and Zirkzee is still not playing, there could be a possibility for Zirkzee to explore a move away.
“West Ham are showing interest in Zirkzee.”
West Ham have admired Zirkzee for a long time, and they could finally get their man in January, but how effective could he be for Nuno?
Zirkzee could be perfect in Nuno’s West Ham set up
Zirkzee is a striker who can come deep and link play up.
He also has experience last season in being used in a playstyle which focuses on fast transitional play, very similar to what Nuno is trying to implement at West Ham.
It’s fair to say that Zirkzee hasn’t hit the ground running since arriving in England, but at the age of 24, he still has plenty of time to improve.
Games Goals
53 7
Zirkzee’s all-time Manchester United record
West Ham could secure his signature in either a cut-price deal or a loan move, as either would surely prove to be a smart decision made by David Sullivan and Co.
Nuno could be the man to get the best out of Zirkzee and his high ceiling of potential, with the desperate need for new blood in the final third at the London Stadium.
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