Sports
West Ham submit January bid for Viktoria Plzen striker Rafiu Durosinmi
West Ham face an urgent crisis in the striker position as the January transfer window approaches, with manager Nuno Espírito Santo reportedly identifying a new centre-forward as the absolute priority if the club hope to swerve relegation.
The Hammers sit 18th in the Premier League table with just 13 points from 18 matches, having scored the joint-fourth fewest goals in the top flight this season.
Relegation is staring them in the face right now as West Ham sit five points adrift of safety, and pressure is mounting on Nuno after a barren run of seven games without victory.
West Ham host Brighton this evening with Nuno desperately in need of three points to both restore faith in him and their hopes of Premier League survival.
Nuno made the controversial decision to drop striker Callum Wilson, who has been in good form lately, in their last outing against Fulham — instead opting for Jarrod Bowen as the makeshift number nin
“Could happen” – Player admits he may join West Ham as agent works on transfer
He’s made a January admission.
Niclas Füllkrug’s departure to AC Milan also means that Nuno has been left with very few natural options up top bar Wilson and the inexperienced Callum Marshall, so reports are suggesting that a striker is top of the agenda next month.
West Ham have already made an approach to sign Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, as first reported by the reliable David Ornstein, and it is believed that the Norwegian is open to an east London move.
However, the asking price for Strand Larsen also sits at around £45 million, which presents a roadblock to West Ham as they reportedly scour for cheaper alternatives.
According to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee recently, one of the other strikers on their radar is Viktoria Plzen star Rafiu Durosinmi.
Even though Nuno is prioritising domestic options right now, the Nigerian is one to watch if he abandons that approach.
“Rafiu Durosinmi is a target that has emerged if Nuno decides to abandon domestic approach,” Ex stated last week.
“He is a 6’4 Nigerian playing for FC Viktoria Plzeň in the Czech Republic.“
Now, as per Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, West Ham have moved in with an offer.
West Ham submit bid for Viktoria Plzen star Rafiu Durosinmi
Indeed, it is now claimed that a £12 million bid has gone in from West Ham for Durosinmi, with both Stuttgart and Lazio making identical offers for the African ahead of January.
The 22-year-old has been on fire for Plzen since returning from a serious ACL injury, bagging 22 goals in all competitions across 2025, with former Plzen boss Miroslav Koubek praising his ‘high level’ form this year.
“He is at a high level, which is rising with every match,” said the now-Czech Republic boss after Durosinmi inspired a 4-2 win over Sparta Prague in March.
“His main strength is in the penalty area, he is still a bit sluggish outside it, but what can I criticize him for when he scores two goals? (laughs).
“Some players don’t get the ball for the whole match and then they succeed. Rafiu always has to get into the match, but he is a scorer, he can finish, and he showed it again today.”
West Ham have enjoyed real success shopping in the Czech top flight in recent years, with Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and even El Hadj Malick Diouf impressing at the London Stadium.
Durosinmi’s form both domestically and in Europe has caught the attention of West Ham talent-spotters, and he could well be a solid outside option to bolster Nuno’s attacking line.
West Ham make January bid to sign Man United forward target after opening talks
They want him ‘as soon as’ the window opens.
