Former West Ham boss David Moyes has set his sights on strengthening his Everton ranks in January, with reliable insider ExWHUemployee saying he could now spark a reunion.
West Ham are bracing for a significant clear-out during the January window as Nuno Espírito Santo looks to reshape his struggling squad.
With the Hammers languishing in the relegation zone, several high-profile players could be heading for the exit door.
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Niclas Füllkrug tops the list of potential departures, after the German striker reportedly told West Ham he wants to leave in January. The £27 million signing from Borussia Dortmund has endured a nightmare spell plagued by persistent fitness issues, missing 28 games for club and country combined last season, and has failed to make any meaningful impact since his arrival.
His agent has even admitted that a move away would be best for both parties, though West Ham insist they won't sanction his exit until a suitable replacement is found.
|Niclas Füllkrug's missed games for West Ham and Germany — 2024/2025|
|Injury|Missing from|Missing until|Games missed|
|---|
|Achilles tendon|08/09/2024|02/12/2024|16|
|Hamstring injury|11/01/2025|01/04/2025|12|
Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta is another player reportedly keen on securing a January departure. The Times reported recently that the 28-year-old outright wants to leave, with Fabrizio Romano also confirming in his GiveMeSport newsletter that a Paqueta exit is indeed possible.
Aston Villa came fairly close to signing Paqueta last summer after holding talks, but the move fell through, with West Ham's star kissing the badge as a show of loyalty after scoring away to Nuno's Nottingham Forest in August.
West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta celebrates scoring their second goal with Callum Wilson
West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta celebrates scoring their second goal with Callum Wilso
Nevertheless, an exit is apparently on the cards for him, as it is for out-of-favour midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is actively seeking a January exit after a disappointing spell since joining on a free transfer from Real Betis in 2024, with River Plate, Espanyol, Club América and ex-club Betis all vying to sign him for a cheap fee mid-season (El Intransigente).
Young winger Luis Guilherme could also be moved on after failing to establish himself in the first team since his arrival from Palmeiras last year.
ExWHUemployee says David Moyes wants to sign James Ward-Prowse from West Ham
Finally, James Ward-Prowse appears destined to leave after being immediately axed from the squad following Nuno's appointment.
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Despite being a first-team regular and one of the captains under Graham Potter, the set-piece specialist is not in Nuno's long-term plans and is resigned to departing in the winter.
Sharing an update on the 30-year-old's future, ExWHUemployee has claimed that Moyes could look to sign Ward-Prowse for Everton after he initially brought him to the Hammers from Southampton during his spell in charge at the London Stadium.
“Although Ward-Prowse has been been pretty much banished from the first team since Nuno arrived, there has been no fallout between the pair,” stated Ex, via The West Ham Way website.
“Nuno wants pace and energy in his midfield and Ward-Prowse just doesn’t fit that profile. Which means he is highly likely at this stage to leave in the new year. His former club Southampton where he was captain are prepared to take him back.
“We also understand that David Moyes has shown interest in possibly taking him up to Everton.”
Ward-Prowse actually did well under Moyes, making an impressive start and providing two assists in a 3-1 home win over Chelsea — becoming the first player to register two assists on his Premier League debut for West Ham.
His first season was rather productive. The midfielder, who Moyes called a "team player", scored seven goals and registered seven assists in the Premier League alone, totaling 18 goal contributions across all competitions in over 50 appearances.
However, it was all downhill after Moyes left.
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Ward-Prowse lost his importance under new manager Julen Lopetegui and was sent on loan to Nottingham Forest. The loan was then terminated mid-season by none other than Nuno, who was in charge of Forest at the time.
He returned to West Ham and played regularly under Graham Potter, but when Potter was dismissed and Nuno ironically became West Ham's new manager, Ward-Prowse was immediately excluded from the squad again.
Now, Moyes is offering him yet another chance to shine at Everton, and he may well be eager to listen.