Copy of FLW FI - 3000x1500 - 2026-10-22T111502.338
Copy of FLW FI - 3000x1500 - 2026-10-22T111502.338
West Ham have made a bright start to life in the Championship under Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Hammers are targeting automatic promotion back to the Premier League this season after finishing 18th in the top flight in 2025/26.
Despite selling top stars like Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, their summer window has helped bring in important players like Divine Mukasa and Arne Engels.
But the London outfit are already keeping one eye on the January transfer window, with it being reported that Axel Disasi remains on their radar due to his uninspiring start to life on loan at Crystal Palace.
The defender spent time on loan at the London Stadium in the previous campaign, and he could become available in the winter if Chelsea recall him from Selhurst Park.
Here we look at the players who could follow Disasi in moving to West Ham in the January market…
Max Dowman
Max Dowman, Arsenal
Action Images
Jarrod Bowen is the main man at West Ham, and he is being relied upon quite heavily at the London Stadium so far this season.
The club captain is living up to expectation in the Championship, already scoring six and assisting five goals from his first 11 appearances.
The winger has played almost every minute of the campaign so far, and a lack of alternative options on the right flank mean that is likely to continue until January.
But a move for Max Dowman on loan in the winter market could be just what’s needed to ease the pressure on the 29-year-old.
The Arsenal star could be available on a temporary basis, with Mikel Arteta eager for the youngster to gain valuable first team experience.
A move to the London Stadium would allow him to play more regularly than he’s featuring at the Emirates, while also providing a secondary option to Bowen for the second half of the campaign.
Soufiane El-Faouzi
Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Schalke 04 v Real Madrid - Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - August 16, 2026 Schalke 04's Soufiane El-Faouzi in action REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
Action Images
Sofiane El-Faouzi rejected the opportunity to sign for West Ham in the summer, instead opting to stay at Schalke after their promotion to the Bundesliga.
But the Hammers could yet reignite their interest in the midfielder when the market opens in the new year.
The likes of Mo Kante, Engels and Mukasa have excelled in the middle of the pitch this season for the London outfit, with Soucek making his way back to full fitness.
However, with the likes of Edson Alvarez and Soungoutou Magassa likely heading for the exit door, another option coming in could make sense.
El-Faouzi has already attracted interest from the Irons, so there is no reason why they couldn’t pursue his signature again in January.
Michael Keane
Michael Keane
Action Images
The interest in Disasi is not a huge surprise given the options at centre-back at the moment for West Ham, particularly with Espirito Santo often deploying three in his starting XI.
It was reported in the summer that Michael Keane was of interest amid his lack of playing time at Everton, and that door could reopen in the winter market.
Man City Divine Mukasa West Ham
Man City Divine Mukasa West Ham
The defender has played just once so far this season, falling down the pecking order of David Moyes’ squad.
While he may not be a guaranteed starter at the London Stadium, someone of his experience could help the club get over the line in their pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.