LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: A general view inside the stadium as Neal Maupay of Brighton & Hove Albion scores their team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on December 27, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
West Ham have yet to hit their stride this season, picking up only five points from their first six games. The heat is quickly mounting on Spanish head coach Julen Lopetegui, who was tasked with assembling a team capable of returning the club to Europe for the 2025/26 season.
Despite adding 10 new stars, including two on loan, the Irons are still far from where they want to be, and emphasis is quickly shifting to how they can enhance their season, with fresh squad additions being studied.
Here’s the latest news from the London Stadium camp as Lopetegui considers two January moves:
West Ham are reportedly interested in signing Hugo Duro, a Valencia striker, as they compete with Aston Villa for the La Liga player. According to CaughtOffside, the Hammers might face stiff competition from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa for the 24-year-old’s signature.
Duro, who has already scored twice for his team this season, is said to have excellent energy and goal-scoring ability, which Lopetegui sees as a huge potential asset for the Stratford club. However, before making a bid for the £13.3 million-rated striker, the Hammers will most likely need to trade one of their present strikers.
Niclas Fullkrug joined the London Stadium club in the summer for £27 million, but the 31-year-old sustained an injury while on international duty and has spent the previous few weeks in the hospital room.
Danny Ings and Michail Antonio are still available, but the attackers, 32 and 34 years old, are past their peak and have not performed well for the Spanish head coach’s club.
West Ham United are interested in signing Omar Marmoush, a highly sought-after striker, according to Football Transfers.
The Eintracht Frankfurt player was the target of a £25 million approach from Nottingham Forest in the summer, and while the deal was rejected, the Egyptian star is still allegedly interested in a move to the Premier League.
Marmoush, 25, has six goals and one assist in five games this season (2024/25). He has formed a powerful partnership with former Paris Saint-Germain striker Hugo Ekitike, another player the Irons have admired in the past.
