West Ham United’s pursuit of a centre-forward during the January transfer window coincides nicely with the countdown to the 2026 World Cup.
Because, as the tournament approaches and hopes fade for many players across the continent, the winter window may represent something of a last roll of the proverbial dice.
Take Joshua Zirkzee, for instance.
Ronald Koeman has omitted Zirkzee from the Dutch squad as he gathers dust on the Manchester United bench. And though Ruben Amorim insists that Zirkzee has a part to play this season, West Ham United have gladly thrown a rope down the well in the hope of hauling the seldom-seen striker out of his Old Trafford abyss.
Hammers News can confirm that West Ham held talks with Real Madrid, too, regarding their own benchwarming centre-forward. Endrick is desperate to represent Brazil next summer. That will surely only happen if he is playing regular, first-team football.
As for Lucas Stassin, his wait for a first senior Belgium call-up goes on.
St Etienne refused to sell Stassin over the summer despite reported interest from West Ham and a host of other clubs, both in Europe and the Middle East. As a result, with Les Verts playing Ligue 2 football on the back of last season’s relegation, the former Anderlecht youngster has slipped even further down the Belgium pecking order.
St Etienne striker Lucas Stassin was named the Ligue 1 young player of the 2024-25 season.
Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images
St Etienne striker Lucas Stassin appears to open the door to West Ham United move
Reports linking West Ham with a move for Stassin continue to swirl in the French media.
Nuno Espirito Santo wants a striker capable of offering athleticism and mobility. Interestingly, Stassin models himself on Romelu Lukaku as well as Lois Openda, two very different sort of Belgian forwards.
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Described as a mix between a number nine and a number ten by St Etienne head coach Eirik Hornelund, the 21-year-old combines the agility of Juventus speedster Openda with the intelligent hold-up play of Lukaku.
He may fit the bill for what Nuno is looking for, then. And, in quotes reported by Het Belang van Limburg, he is keeping the door to a January departure open with the World Cup looming.
“Well, in every transfer window there’s a chance you’ll leave,” Stassin says. “I’m under contract with Saint-Étienne and I’m focused on achieving promotion.”
“[But] I love the big five leagues. If I ever get the chance to explore a new league, I’m open to it. The most important thing is to play at the highest level again as soon as possible. That’s what every footballer wants.
“It depends on what happens with Saint-Etienne. If we get promoted, I’ll play in Ligue 1 again. If not, we’ll see. It plays a role, that’s clear. But in football, everything can change quickly.”
West Ham have watched Club Brugge starlet Romeo Vermant
Stassin appears to have been overtaken in the mind of Belgium coach Rudi Garcia by Club Brugge’s Romeo Vermant.
Interestingly, reporter Alan Nixon claimed recently that West Ham scouted Vermant in the Champions League during a 4-0 defeat by Bayern Munich. Stassin, who has seven goals or assists in 12 Ligue 1 matches but whose form has been the subject of criticism, has no complaints about his place in Garcia’s pecking order.
“It’s a difficult time, like every footballer goes through. I’m still young, you know. People sometimes forget that. A dip isn’t illogical at my age,” Stassin adds.
“Of course, it’s disappointing and it hurts a little [to be left out of the Belgium squad], because I’m ambitious. But it’s the coach’s decision. Romeo plays for Club Brugge in the Champions League. That carries weight.
“I’m happy for Romeo. He deserves it. There’s no jealousy.”
David Sullivan reluctant to sign Josh Sargent or Haji Wright as striker pursuit goes on
HBVL report that St Etienne turned down a bid worth around £26 million from ambitious Ligue 1 newcomers Paris FC over the summer.
With funds tight at the London Stadium, West Ham may have to look at more affordable, more short-term options in January. Hammers News can reveal that Flamengo’s Brazil international Pedro has been ‘offered’ to the club via intermediaries, alongside Cruzeiro’s Kaio Jorge.
Owner David Sullivan has no plans to sign Norwich’s Josh Sargent or Coventry City’s Haji Wright, though, having been burned before with Championship buys.