West Ham are planning to sign a central midfielder during the January transfer window, according to journalist Ben Jacobs
New head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has requested more mobility in that area of the pitch and Jacobs has named the three players that could be targeted:
“Nuno has asked for more pace in midfield, a six or eight who can get box to box, and I’m told that Kobbie Mainoo is still liked by West Ham, if Manchester United let him leave.
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“Morten Frendrup at Genoa and Andrey Santos at Chelsea are two other players, but as far as Chelsea are concerned, Santos isn’t for sale.”
West Ham have already tried to sign Santos once
It was reported in the Brazilian media back in August that the Hammers had tabled a mammoth £45m offer for the Chelsea midfielder.
However, it appears the Blues are still reluctant to sanction Santos’s departure, so any attempt to secure his signature in the New Year is also likely to fail, unless a loan move becomes a possibility.
Mainoo is probably the most realistic target
Unlike Santos, Frendrup could be on the market, with it being suggested that a bid of around €20m (£17m) to €25m (£22m) could be enough to snap up the Denmark international.
Even for that price, though, West Ham may struggle to find the requisite funds. A loan with or without an option to buy would be the preference for any deal.
For that reason, Mainoo could well be the right option. The 20-year-old requested to leave Old Trafford on a temporary basis a couple of months ago.
He is keen on getting more game time, especially with the World Cup coming up, and if Man United agree to such a move, the Irons would be in with a good chance of signing him.
Read more about the West Ham First Team Squad for 2025/26 here