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Adama Traore ‘expected to complete’ West Ham move as Nuno beats Wolves to top target
West Ham are reportedly clear favourites to sign a forward who manager Nuno Espírito Santo believes could be a crucial addition to the squad.
West Ham poised for pivotal January as Fullkrug nears Milan move
The Hammers and AC Milan are currently putting the finishing touches on Niclas Fullkrug’s loan move to AC Milan, which will include a buy option, not an obligation, worth around £12 million.
This comes as West Ham urgently scour the market for forward reinforcements, with Nuno’s side trapped in the relegation zone and desperately short of goals heading into the January window.
The Hammers currently sit in the bottom three in the Premier League table with their attacking options looking worryingly thin after Fullkrug made clear his desire to leave the London Stadium.
Veteran striker Callum Wilson, who’s been in great form recently, provides cover alongside young prospect Callum Marshall, but neither represents a long-term solution for a club fighting for survival.
West Ham make first move to sign La Liga’s 2024 top goalscorer to replace Fullkrug
He’s got a proven record.
Nuno knows January represents a critical window to address their goalscoring woes before it condemns them to the Championship, alongside their leaky backline.
Norwich City forward Josh Sargent has emerged as a primary target according to recent reports, with the American international offering both experience in England and physical presence.
The 25-year-old reportedly appeals to West Ham’s hierarchy after expensive overseas signings repeatedly failed to adapt to English football’s demands.
In terms of targets abroad, Serie A could be a fruitful talent pool.
Roma’s Artem Dovbyk, who finished the 2023/2024 campaign as La Liga’s top goalscorer during his time at Girona, is reportedly a target for West Ham alongside Fiorentina star Moise Kean.
Former Wolves winger Adama Traore also features on Nuno’s wishlist with the manager keen to reunite with a player he coached previously at Molineux.
Sources suggest Traore’s lack of game time at Fulham could facilitate a January move, though Wolves are also monitoring the situation.
Adama Traoré ‘expected to complete’ West Ham move in January
That is according to insider Claret & Hugh, who report this week that Traore is ‘expected to complete a move’ to West Ham in January ahead of the Old Gold.
Fulham are keen to recoup a fee for the 29-year-old before his contract expires next summer, making a January sale increasingly likely.
Wolves and manager Rob Edwards are considering a loan deal with either an obligation or an option to buy depending on whether the club find themselves in the Championship come season’s end.
West Ham face similar relegation concerns, but Nuno remains particularly determined to reunite with Traore after working successfully with him before.
The Portuguese also views his former winger as an ‘important’ addition to his struggling squad.
Traore has started just one Premier League game for Fulham this season and turns 30 in January, making regular first-team football his priority as he enters the latter stages of his career.
Currently earning around £65,000-per-week, the Spaniard will likely accept reduced wages to secure the move.
If the transfer materialises, Traore would provide depth on the right wing, though Nuno may even also explore deploying him as a striker given West Ham’s desperate need for attacking options.
West Ham in pole position to re-sign former star after holding talks with him
They could bring him back to Rush Green.
