Zirkzee celebrates scoring for Manchester United.placeholder image
Zirkzee celebrates scoring for Manchester United. | Manchester United via Getty Imag
West Ham are getting their ducks in order to have a productive January transfer window and back manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
West Ham may have a fortnight off Premier League action but it does not appear to have been a quiet international break at the London Stadium.
Nuno Espirito Santo appears to be finally turning the tide after a dismal start to the top flight campaign for the London outfit. The Hammers recorded back to back victories against Newcastle United and Burnley before the break.
AFC Bournemouth, Liverpool and Manchester United are all up next for West Ham in a tricky run of fixtures before the festive schedule takes full swing. Then comes the January window and it’s expected that the club will look to back Nuno and help avoid a relegation dogfight.
West Ham draw up January transfer shortlist including £26m striker
Several names have been linked with a move to West Ham and The Mirror has provided the latest shortlist drawn up at the London Stadium during the international break. Danish side FC Midtjylland are known for producing top talent and the Premier League club appear to be targeting one of the side’s strikers.
West Ham have previously done business with FC Midtjylland, signing Winston Reid in 2020. It’s claimed that Franculino Dju is of interest to the Hammers, having explored a late permanent transfer in the summer window.
It’s added that West Ham even saw an informal bid rejected by the Danish club for the Guinea-Bissau international, who scored 19 goals across all competitions last season. Dju is expected to be at next month’s Africa Cup of Nations but that is not thought to have put off West Ham, who would face competition across the continent for a transfer that would reportedly cost more than £26 million.
Nuno is likely to want added strength to his side’s defence come January with the club currently owning the division’s second worst record. Lille centre-back Alexsandro is a name who has been linked and The Mirror report claims that he is indeed on the shortlist.
Man Utd duo eyed by West Ham
Lille won’t let the defender leave for cheap at the mid-point in the season and Alexsandro also has suitors in Italy, who could offer more attractive proposals than a Premier League relegation battle ahead of the World Cup.
Closer to home, it’s claimed that Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is an option ‘set to be evaluated’. A move for the striker, who is out of favour under Ruben Amorim, could be made possible by cashing in on wantaway West Ham man Niclas Fullkrug.
Finally, West Ham have a ‘strong interest’ in bringing in Red Devils midfielder Kobbie Mainoo on loan. The midfielder is another player looking for more game time ahead of the World Cup but it remains to be seen whether Manchester United would let him join a top flight rival in January.
In other news, Ex West Ham star's £2m January Man City transfer gives hope for James Ward-Prowse career salvation - opinion.
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