West Ham United were one of the busiest clubs around during the 2026 January transfer window.
Over the course of a busy month that rolled into the first few days of February, West Ham United signed five players and sold many more.
Still, it is in fact a player who West Ham already had in their ranks who could prove instrumental in their fight for Premier League survival.
Indeed, while January signings Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe have helped improve the Hammers off the ball, the jury is still out on whether either can score the goals required to keep the team in the Premier League.
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Keep in mind that Axel Disasi hasn't played in months 😬
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Credit: Getty Images/Rob Newell – CameraSport/Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC
Callum Wilson, however, is much more of a guarantee – with the obvious caveat of his injury record applied.
One of the major boosts to have emerged from the window is that West Ham decided to keep Wilson after previously suggesting he could leave.
That news was met very fondly among the fanbase. The 33-year-old, after all, has scored five goals in just eight starts this season.
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Now, more insight into what really happened during the January window regarding his future emerged.
Crystal Palace considered Callum Wilson move before West Ham decided to keep him
Crystal Palace were linked with a move for Wilson and The Athletic have now revealed some further insight.
They also reported that West Ham agreed a deal to sign Eddie Nketiah from Palace. Had that happened, the Eagles would have then proposed the idea of signing Wilson from the Irons in a separate deal.
Palace boss Oliver Glanser was not convinced about that at the time and by the time his stance changed, Wilson was staying at West Ham after scoring a dramatic late winner against Tottenham.
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Keeping Callum Wilson was the best business West Ham did in January
A proven track record in providing Premier League goals comes at a premium in any transfer window, especially in January.
Taty and Pablo might lead the line better than Wilson at this stage of his career but neither can put the ball in the back of the net as effectively as he can.
Callum Wilson celebrates after scoring for West Ham against Tottenham.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
West Ham fans didn’t want Wilson to leave the club and they were at least given what they asked for on that front.
The former England striker is just three goals off entering the Premier League’s 100 club. Few would bet against him doing that this season.
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