By our count, the number of strikers linked with a January move to Premier League strugglers West Ham United has now moved beyond the 30-mark.
A wide variety of potential targets, from Brazilian starlets to Nuno Espirito Santo favourites, Manchester United misfits and Ireland icons.
At Hammers News, we do our best to sort the wheat from the chaff, the attainable from the impossible, while ranking every single one of those 32 West Ham United-linked strikers from the most likely to, well, those you should not be holding your breath waiting for.
Niclas Fullkrug is Milan-bound! ✈️ 🇮🇹
What deal would you have been happy with? And who should replace him?
Niclas Fullkrug of West Ham United goes off injured during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on January 10, 2025 in Birmingham, England.
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The possible
Chris Wood – Nottingham Forest
Who is he? Someone Nuno Espirito Santo knows extremely well. Hammers News revealed in November that Nuno would like his ex-Forest talisman. Scored 20 Premier League goals for the first time in 2025/26.
Price? Unknown. But at 34, and with his contract running until 2027, could be gettable on a knock-down fee.
Chances of a deal happening? Nuno factor may be key, and he might find it hard to displace Sean Dyche favourite Igor Jesus. However, Hammers may be put off by recent injury issues. Wood has not played since the Ange Postecoglou era.
7/10.
Taty Castellanos – Lazio
Who is he? Inconsistent but sometimes electrifying striker with an eye for the spectacular. Castellanos destroyed Real Madrid with four goals in just 50 minutes during his Girona days.
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Price?Il Messaggero claim Lazio would want around £22 million.
Chances of a deal happening? Seems do-able. Il Messaggero add that Castellanos is open to a move. Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri also admits the Argentine is finding it hard in his system.
6/10
Artem Dovbyk – Roma
Who is he? Former La Liga Golden Boot winner with Girona. Strong, physical and may be well suited to English football. Dovbyk confirmed talks with West Ham before moving to Roma in 2024. Injuries have opened door for ex-Hammers loanee Evan Ferguson to take his spot. Could be replaced by Zirkzee.
Price?Gazzetta dello Sport say around £20 million.
Chances of a deal happening? One of the better and more likely options. Gazzetta report West Ham remain hot on his heels, alongside Sunderland.
7/10
Beto – Everton
Who is he? A solid if unspectacular goalscorer with Udinese, but has had Everton fans wringing their hands in frustration. Only 12 goals in 76 Premier League games, and usurped by Thierno Barry.
Price? Everton likely to accept a loss. Loan deal may be a possibility.
Chances of a deal happening? TEAMtalk say he will not force a move. Has English football experience but surely only a back-up option for the Hammers.
5/10
Zan Vipotnik – Swansea City
Who is he? Max Hahn’s pick. West Ham’s Head of Recruitment and Analysis believes Swansea sharpshooter Vipotnik is the man to replace Fullkrug. An ‘XG’ monster, Vipotnik has scored 10 from an expected 3.76 in the Championship.
Price? Swans can count Martha Stewart and Snoop Dog as their investors. No reason to drop Vipotnik while he’s hot. But West Ham could still twist their arm with a £20 million-plus offer.
Chances of a deal happening? He would surely be keen, given Swansea’s struggles. Has the backing of Hahn, and influential recruitment expert. Again, Sullivan may need to be convinced.
7/10
How do YOU feel about those Zan Vipotnik links? 🤔
Do West Ham need to make more use of the EFL market?
Zan Vipotnik of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Watford at the Swansea.com Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Swansea, Wales.
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Clayton – Rio Ave
Who is he? Late-blooming Brazilian playing in Portugal. Clayton has 10 goals in 15 league games. TEAMtalk say West ham are watching ‘closely’.
Price? Rio Ave have never sold a player for over £7 million. Some reports have suggested £13 million may twist the arm.
Chances of a deal happening? Clayton would be a left-field addition, but seems more attainable and affordable than others.
6/10
Rafiu Durosinmi – Viktoria Plzen
Who is he? After West Ham signed El Hadji Malick Diouf, Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal from Slavia Prague, they could return to the Czech Republic for 6ft 4ins giant.
Price? Contract expires next summer. Sports Boom say just £6 million may be required.
Chances of a deal happening? ExWhuEmployee says Durosinmi is an alternative if Nuno can’t get his English-based targets. Cheap, and comes from a league West Ham know well.
7/10
Romeo Vermant – Club Brugge
Who is he? 21-year-old starlet looking to force his way into Belgium’s World Cup squad. Nuno may like German-born Vermant’s versatility. Alan Nixon claimed in October that West Ham scouted Vermant in the Champions League, and hoped to get a deal done early in January.
Price? Club Brugge want at least £20 million.
Chances of a deal happening? Fits the club’s new, youth-focused, potential-driven transfer model. Belgian clubs usually sell for respectable fees. As of yet, little to suggest he is as bullish as David about staying put.
7/10
Jorgen Strand Larsen – Wolves
Who is he?Strand-Larsen was booed by Wolves fans after missing a penalty last time out. Scorer of 14 Premier League goals last season but only one this term for bottom of the table side.
Price? Hammers News have been told Wolves want £45 million.
Chances of a deal happening? Possible, but only if the men from Molineux can be tempted to lower their valuation. Wolves rejected massive bids from Newcastle in the summer. However, if they are willing to start preparing for relegation already, that £45 million asking price could be bartered down.
6/10
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Troy Parrott – AZ Alkmaar
Who is he? An Irish footballing legend. Former Tottenham kid-turned-Eredivisie marvel Parrott almost single-handedly dragged his nation into the World Cup play-offs with a stunning hat-trick against Hungary.
Price? £25 million alleged.
Chances of a deal happening? Ben Jacobs believes Fulham are more likely than West Ham. But don’t count out the Hammers.
6/10
The unlikely
Franculino Dju – FC Midtjylland
Who is he? Prolific Guinea Bissau international. With 16 goals in 17 Danish Superliga games, Franculino was keeping pace with Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
Price?West Ham had £13 million bid rejected last summer, per Bold. Midtjylland now looking for double that.
Chances of a deal happening? Looked possible, but Franculino suffered a ‘catastrophic’ injury blow this month. One for the next summer, you would expect.
4/10
Joshua Zirkzee – Manchester United
Who is he? Elegant but profligate Red Devils benchwarmer. David Ornstein said West Ham had shown an interest in Zirkzee, alongside AS Roma.
Price? Man United want to recoup the £36 million they paid Bologna.
Chances of a deal happening? Hammers looked well placed initially. Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Roma are closing in on an agreement on personal terms.
4/10
Josh Sargent – Norwich City
Who is he? Norwich City fan favourite who remains highly regarded despite recent 14-game goal drought. Arguably the most complete Championship forward on his day.
Price? Norwich reportedly rejected around £18 million from Wolfsburg last summer.
Chances of a deal happening? A David Sullivan-shaped obstacle. Hammers News have been told that Sullivan has serious reservations about Championship additions. Though with a lack of attainable alternatives, the owner could be convinced otherwise.
4/10
Mojmir Chytil – Slavia Prague
Who is he? Another Czech-based talent. Scorer of seven goals in league 16 games this season.
Price? Like Durosinmi, contract situation could result in a low fee. Chytil will be a free-agent in 2027.
Chances of a deal happening? Maybe behind Durosinmi on the Czech-based wishlist.
5/10
Albion Rahmani
Who is he? Kosovo international who won the Golden Boot in his homeland before joining Sparta Prague despite incessant links with Rangers.
Price?Foot Mercato say Sparta Prague rejected £7 million bid from Lyon. Likely to increase demands in the face of Premier League interest.
Chances of a deal happening? Has a longer contract than Durosinmi or Chytil. Also West Ham less familiar with Sparta than they are Slavia.
4/10
Promise David – Union Saint-Gilloise
Promise David is the perfect replacement for Fullkrug.
Who else can West Ham sign?
West Ham target Promise David
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Who is he? Physical but raw centre-forward, Promise David has been nicknamed ‘Baby Lukaku’. Scored in the Champions League this season against PSV and Galatasaray.
Price? Belgian employers value him at £17 million.
Chances of a deal happening? Early reports suggested West Ham were closing on on David. Hitherto red-hot links have cooled substantially since. TalkSPORT say David wants to stay in Belgium with European football on the horizon again.
4/10
Barking up the wrong tree
Mateo Pellegrino – Parma
Who is he? Giant Serie A targetman. Seven of his last ten goals have been headers. Pellegrini models his game on Haaland but his record is far from electrifying.
Price? Reportedly around £25 million. Tuttosport claim Atletico Madrid are admirers.
Chances of a deal happening? Links with West Ham have cooled. Appears to be well down the list.
2/10.
Kaio Jorge – Cruzeiro
Who is he? Brazilian Serie A Golden Boot winner. Struggled during a spell at Juventus but has been unstoppable since returning to South America.
Price?Globo Esporte claim West Ham offered Cruzeiro a £22 million package, via a loan deal and an purchase clause. The Belo Horizonte outfit want more.
Chances of a deal happening? Pretty low. Kaio Jorge is in no rush to return to Europe having been burned by his Juve experience.
2/10
Flaco Lopez – Palmeiras
Who is he? Another South American. Two-time Argentina international who scored 25 goals in 64 games across 2025. Links emerged recently from Palmeiras reporter Diego Firmino.
Price? Around £25 million.
Chances of a deal happening? A new and relatively little-known name to appear. Would be a big risk.
3/10
Emmanuel Latte Lath – Atlanta United
Who is he? Former Middlesbrough talisman who has underwhelmed since becoming the MLS’s most expensive ever player. West Ham watched Emmanuel Latte Lath score a Championship hat-trick against Oxford in 2024.
Price? Atlanta United would want to recoup £20 million fee.
Chances of a deal happening? No real suggestion Latte Lath is giving up on the American dream with a contract until 2028.
2/10
Haji Wright – Coventry City
Who is he? Rangy USA international spearheading Coventry’s Premier League charge under Frank Lampard.
Price? Forget it. Claret and Hugh told West Ham that Coventry are dreaming of promotion, and won’t be selling.
Chances of a deal happening? See above. Sky Blues have bigger fish to fry and no motivation to sell. Lampard has set his stall out too.
2/10
Coventry City striker Hai Wright is a target for West Ham
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ellis Simms – Coventry City
Who is he? The man who shoulders the goalscoring burden alongside Wright at the Championship table toppers.
Price? Copy and paste.
Chances of a deal happening?ExWhuEmployee say ex-Everton starlet Simms is a top target. Coventry won’t look to sell, but they might prefer to lose him over Wright.
3/10
Andrea Pinamonti – Sassuolo
Who is he? One-cap Italy international who has hit double figures in two of the last three Serie A seasons. Calciomercato reported West Ham’s interest in mid-December.
Price? Sassuolo are in the midst of a survival battle. Genoa could have signed him for £13 million last season, but his price-tag has increased since.
Chances of a deal happening? Seems more likely to stay in Italy with Lazio and Milan keen. West Ham’s interest yet to be corroborated by English sources.
2/10
Joaquin Panichelli – Strasbourg
Who is he? Argentine sensation who has taken French football by storm at Chelsea’s sister club. 10 goals in 23 matches, and very useful in the air.
Price? Strasbourg paid Alaves a whopping £14 million last summer. They will demand even more now.
Chances of a deal happening? Seems unlikely. Chelsea have already signed Emanuel Emegha and are now being linked with Strasbourg teammate Panichelli too. Due to BlueCo connections, Enzo Maresca’s side will have first refusal and have been linked.
2/10
Marcos Leonardo – Al-Hilal
Who is he? Exciting Brazilian who tore Manchester City apart in the Club World Cup. He’s scored 40 goals in 58 Al-Hilal games. Tim Steidten tried to sign Leonardo while in South America.
Price? Hammers News believe that Al-Hilal rejected a £20 million loan-to-buy bid for Marcos Leonardo, a la Cruzeiro and Kaio Jorge. Moneybags Saudi Arabian outfit handed Benfica £33 million in 2024.
Chances of a deal happening? West Ham’s best hopes may rest on whether Leonardo feels a move to Europe would boost his World Cup chances.
3/10
Ivan Toney – Al-Ahli
Who is he?Ivan Toney is the dream pick for West Ham fans. Unfortunately, despite slipping down the England pecking order, Brentford legend Toney is happy in the Middle East.
Price? God knows. Huge, presumably.
Chances of a deal happening? Toney to West Ham isn’t happening. Sorry to rain on your parade. He also earns a staggering £400,000-a-week in Saudi, and would have to forego that for tax reasons if he returns to England already.
Endrick – Real Madrid
Who is he? Many have labelled him the next big thing of Brazilian football. However, opportunities have been non-existent under Xabi Alonso at the Santiago Bernabeu. West Ham held talks with Real Madrid before moving onto more attainable targets.
Price? Would only ever be a loan. Real want a sizeable loan fee, though, and that is without mentioning the teenager’s reported £100,000-a-week wages.
Chances of a deal happening? Endrick has one foot and four toes in France. Lyon will be his destination.
1/10
Gonzalo Garcia – Real Madrid
Who is he?Garcia is the other Real Madrid striker West Ham like. An instinctive penalty-box poacher who shot to fame at the Club World Cup. Like Endrick, has found chances hard to come by since.
Price? Per ESPN, Real tied him down to a new deal with an inflated release clause after the Club World Cup. However, they would likely green-light a loan deal.
Chances of a deal happening? With Endrick Lyon-bound, Garcia likely to stay and provide back-up.
2/10
Pedro – Flamengo
Who is he? One of the more underrated strikers in the game. Capped six times by Brazil and scorer of 101 goals in 202 Flamengo appearances. Hammers News were told in October that West Ham had been ‘offered’ Pedro by intermediaries.
Price? Flamengo reportedly rejected £22 million from Nottingham Forest last year.
Chances of a deal happening? West Ham would prefer Kaio Jorge or Marcos Leonardo. However, cheaper price-tag and less-bullish attitude about a transfer could play into Hammers hands. Yet, the club are yet to really make headway after being ‘offered’ two months ago.
3/10
Pio Esposito – Inter Milan
Who is he? Inter starlet who has exploded onto the scene for club and country. Only 20, yet has three goals in five Azzurri caps.
Price? Inter have already turned down a £42 million bid. Far more than West Ham are capable of paying.
Chances of a deal happening? According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Esposito is ‘unsellable’.
1/10
Gabriel Jesus
West Ham United FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Who is he? Injury-hit Arsenal schemer who recently returned from another lengthy set-back. Desperate to play regularly to keep his World Cup hopes alive. Football Transfers claimed West Ham are in the mix for Gabriel Jesus.
Price? Unknown.
Chances of a deal happening? Arsenal will not want to thin out their attacking options with trophies to aim for in so many competitions.
2/10
Santiago Gimenez – AC Milan
Who is he? Former Feyenoord firestarter now struggling to make the step up to a more competitive division.
Price?Milan value Gimenez at £30 million.
Chances of a deal happening? Gimenez was mentioned in possible Fullkrug swap deal. The German has since moved to the San Siro in the aftermath of an injury to the Mexican which put that speculation to bed for the time being.
1/10.
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