West Ham face a critical January transfer window as they battle to climb away from the Premier League's relegation zone, with manager Nuno Espírito Santo urgently requiring reinforcements across multiple positions.
West Ham tipped for busy January to rescue Premier League status
The east London club find themselves five points adrift of safety heading into the festive fixtures, with serious questions being asked about the squad's quality and depth following a disastrous start to the campaign.
West Ham United's Niclas Fullkrug before the match
Nuno's priority remains finding a proven goalscorer, with the departure of Niclas Füllkrug to AC Milan leaving the Hammers desperately short of striking options during the busiest period of the season.
The Germany international agreed to join Milan after failing to make any desired impact at West Ham, with his stay at the London Stadium marred by repeated injury problems.
West Ham have been strongly linked with Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, though competition from Crystal Palace and the striker's seismic valuation present significant obstacles to any potential deal.
According to club insider ExWHUemployee this week, Nuno is prioritising strikers with English football experience, which explains their interest in Larsen.
West Ham United players huddle before the match Related
["Could happen" - Player admits he may join West Ham as agent works on transfer](https://www.footballfancast.com/souffian-el-karouani-admits-he-may-join-west-ham/ ""Could happen" - Player admits he may join West Ham as agent works on transfer")
He's made a January admission.
As well as the Norwegian, Coventry City duo Hadji Wright and Ellis Simms are both on Nuno's personal list, with the latter emerging as a top target.
“Hadji Wright of Coventry is a player the club admire, although Coventry are adamant they don’t want to sell and have given us a huge asking price," Ex said, via The West Ham Way.
“Ellis Simms is however another the manager likes and is at this stage regarded as a top target that the manager likes.”
West Ham are also exploring options on the wing, with Fulham's Adama Traoré attracting concrete interest from Nuno, who previously worked with the Spanish winger during their time together at Molineux.
However, with Callum Wilson and youngster Callum Marshall their only natural striking options right now, West Ham supporters are very eager to see a new number nine come through the door.
wilson
Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg recently suggested that West Ham could even sign two new strikers, and it is now believed that Chelsea's Marc Guiu has found his way onto their shortlist.
West Ham looking at signing Marc Guiu from Chelsea in 2026
That is according to Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips, who wrote via his Substack that the Hammers are admirers and considering a deal.
Marc-Guiu-chelsea
However, this is seen as an 'odd' development given the Spaniard cannot legally change clubs again this season, having already done so twice.
So, taking that into account, West Ham are believed to be looking at a summer deal for Guiu.
"West Ham are looking into a move for Marc Guiu," Phillips said.
"Although this is an odd one because he cannot play another game for another team this season because he has already played for two clubs. I can only assume the interest is for the summer, but the interest is there, and it’s interest in a permanent deal."
The former Barcelona sensation, still only 19, helped to fire Chelsea to the Conference League final last campaign with six goals in seven tournament appearances for the Blues.
He was meant to spend this year on loan at Sunderland, but Enzo Maresca's side cut his loan spell short and brought him back to Stamford Bridge to cover for the injured Liam Delap at the time.
"When I watch him play, and he's 18 years of age, this kid, in two years time could be an established, unbelievable No 9.," said pundit Joe Cole last season.
"I think he could go go all the way, because I watch him and all the things that you can't teach he's already got.
"He knows when to go in the box, his instincts, his aggression, he's brave.
"He can brush up on all the other things in his game. And at 18, he's playing with a smile on his face, you know, I think Barcelona made a real, real mistake there."
Former Barça assistant, Albert Capellas, also called him 'exceptional' in his position.
"Marc Guiu is a finisher," said Capellas.
"[He] is not a player who has unbelievable skills one against one, who can dribble past players. He is another type of player, but he is exceptional in his position. He has the nose to score goals."
While Guiu cannot sign in January, the teenage striker could well be the second of two strikers who end up joining West Ham in 2026.
david-sullivan-west-ham-premier-league-1 Related
Striker open to joining West Ham with Sullivan prepared to give him pay rise
He's tempted by a switch to London next month.