Nuno Espirito Santo looks set to see new arrivals before the end of the transfer window.placeholder image
Nuno Espirito Santo looks set to see new arrivals before the end of the transfer window. | AFP via Getty Images
West Ham are interested in a move for an ex-Aston Villa striker but face competition from Bournemouth, Everton and Nottingham Forest
It has been a busy month on the transfer front for West Ham but they remain linked with more new signings as they look to bolster their squad in the hope of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
They have signed Taty Castellanos from Lazio and also recruited Pablo from Gil Vicente in Portugal while a loan deal has been struck for Keiber Lamadrid.
There have been a number of exits too, with Luis Guilherme, Andrew Irving and Guido Rodriguez heading on permanent exits while loan deals have been done to allow Niclas Fullkrug, Callum Marshall and Kaelan Casey to depart on loan.
In recent days, Lucas Paqueta has moved on to join Brazilian side Flamengo while James Ward-Prowse has made a loan move to relegation rivals Burnley. However, the Hammers have signed Adama Traore from Fulham.
“I’ve worked with him for many years, and I know him well. He’s unique - there aren’t many players with his ability one-on-one, or with his pace,” said Nuno Espírito Santo of Traore on Thursday.
“I think he’s going to give us many things that we need. He possesses great threat, and he has great energy, not only on the pitch, but in the dressing room and at the training ground too. He’s a special person to have around.
“It’s not up to me to judge what’s happened to him before; I’m just happy to have him here.”
Another player being linked with West Ham is former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran. According to reports by A Spor in Turkey, the Fenerbahce striker is believed to be ‘on the radar’ of West Ham along with rival Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Everton.
The 22-year-old Colombian is currently on loan in Turkey from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr and that could make a January move complicated, but a near-identical scenario did not prevent former Chelsea player Abraham from securing a permanent move to Aston Villa earlier this week.
However, West Ham and their Premier League rivals risk missing out on Duran as Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu has since reported on X that “Juventus has made an official offer for Jhon Duran.”
Duran has 12 goals and one assist in 55 Premier League games and has a current market value of just more than £27m. It is a big drop from the £64m paid for him 12 months ago when Al-Nassr signed him from Villa. It is unclear how much they would demand if they decided to sell him.
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