by Staff Writer
Thursday, 15th January 2026
Welcome back to KUMB's latest transfer rumour round-up - five stories from around the web featuring players potentially on West Ham's shopping list, or current Hammers on the radar of other clubs...
Lucas Paqueta
The Brazilian midfielder remains a key target for Flamenco as we ease into the second half of the January transfer window.
And while he returned to training at Rush Green with the rest of the first team squad on Wednesday morning, Paqueta continues to hanker for a return to his home country - as fresh rumours regarding his potential departure emerge. It is now suggested (Jacob Steinberg, Guardian) that West Ham are willing to allow Paqueta to join the Brasileiro Serie A side IF they allow him to remain in England, on loan, for the latter half of the 2025/26 campaign. In contrast, Jason Burt (Telegraph) claims Flamenco are set to return with an improved bid by the end the week.
Ethan Nwaneri
One player almost certainly NOT on his way to West Ham is Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri, according to the latest reports from north London.
West Ham are understood to have submitted an enquiry with regards to the player's availability but have been told he is not for sale by the current Premier League leaders. The Hammers are thought to have been interested in a temporary loan move for the remainder of the season; Nwaneri has made just six appearances in the Premier League this term, 12 in all competitions.
Mads Hermansen
The former Leicester stopper, who made his first senior appearance since September against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup last weekend is being linked with the exit door this month - just six months into his five-year contract.
However fresh rumours (Standard) suggest the Danish stopper wants to stay at West Ham and fight Alphonse Areola for the number one shirt, even though a number of clubs have indicated a willingness to sign him on a temporary basis.
Jamaal Lascelles
Rumours linking West Ham with a move for the Newcastle United skipper are wide of the mark, KUMB understands.
Centre back Lascelles, who was sidelined for a year prior to making his return to first team football at the end of last season has been suggested as a possible solution to the club's central defensive issues. However the player is on his way to Saudi Arabia to join an unnamed club, with his family already having made the move east.
John Heitinga
The former Dutch centre half spent the 2023/24 season on the coaching staff at West Ham under David Moyes, but was fired upon the Scot's departure.
Following his spell at West Ham he joined Liverpool in July 2024 as assistant coach and took charge of the first team for one match during which manager Arne Slot was suspended. But having won the Premier League title he returned to the Netherlands with former club Ajax. A short-lived spell, Heitinga was fired just five months later and earlier today he was confirmed as the latest member of Thomas Frank's back room team at Tottenham.
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