West Ham chiefs are understandably making moves ahead of the looming January transfer window, and their winter recruitment could end up being crucial as Nuno Espírito Santo looks to maintain the club’s Premier League status.
The Hammers have finally found something to smile about after securing back-to-back Premier League victories, providing some much-needed optimism they stand a chance of avoiding the drop.
Nuno’s side ended their miserable nine-month wait for a home league win by beating Newcastle 3-1 before following that up with a dramatic 3-2 comeback against Burnley at the London Stadium.
The Newcastle triumph represented Nuno’s first win in charge and provided a crucial boost for a side that had been languishing dangerously close to the foot of the table.
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham
West Ham 1-5 Chelsea
Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham
West Ham 0-3 Tottenham
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace
Everton 1-1 West Ham
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
West Ham 0-2 Brentford
Leeds 2-1 West Ham
West Ham 3-1 Newcastle
West Ham 3-2 Burnley
Against Burnley, West Ham demonstrated their newfound resilience by fighting back from Zian Flemming’s early header. Callum Wilson levelled just before the break with his eighth career goal against the Clarets, before substitute Tomas Soucek once again proved decisive – bundling home from close range.
Kyle Walker-Peters then wrapped up the three points with his first goal for the club, and you can argue that this international break comes at a terrible time for the east Londoners, considering they were just starting to find good form.
However, while West Ham are currently basking in a ray of sunshine following their dismal start to 2025/2026, Nuno realises that his current options just aren’t enough.
According to reports, West Ham are actively preparing for the transfer window with several targets identified. The club have PSV Eindhoven’s attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari, who has scored 10 goals in 17 matches this season, on their radar alongside many other options.
The 24-year-old Morocco international is viewed as the ideal player to add creativity and goals to Nuno’s struggling attack (Football Transfers), with David Sullivan and co also looking to bring in a new striker and defender amid links with former Brentford star Ivan Toney.
Brazil could be an interesting market for Nuno as well, following reports that West Ham have been offered both Pedro and Kaio Jorge ahead of the winter.
West Ham make approach to sign Brazilian sensation Allan Elias
Now, according to journalist Eduardo Burgos for AS, as translated by Sport Witness, they’ve also joined the race to sign one of Brazil’s most exciting young talents.
West Ham are said to have made an approach for young Palmeiras attacking midfielder Allan Elias.
The 21-year-old has emerged as a prime target for several Premier League clubs, with the Hammers joining Fulham and Everton in making enquiries about his availability. The trio have apparently established contact over the versatile starlet, who has been turning heads across European football, and it is believed that an offer north of £17.5 million could be enough despite Elias’ £84 million release clause.
What makes Allan particularly intriguing is his potential. He is a product of Palmeiras’ famed academy system – the same development setup that produced Chelsea sensation Estevao Willian, who has taken the Premier League by storm since his summer arrival at Stamford Bridge.
The academy, renowned as one of South America’s finest talent factories, has also produced stars like Endrick, who was also a reported target for West Ham before Lyon entered the fray.
Allan joined Palmeiras’ youth ranks in 2019 from hometown club Figueirense and has worked his way through the system to become a key figure in the first team.
His great form this season, with 10 goal contributions across 50 appearances in all competitions, seems to have caught the attention of scouts, with West Ham among the sides taking notice.
Burgos describes Allan as yet another “diamond” to come through at Palmeiras, and amid his dream of playing for Brazil, a move to the Premier League would surely appeal to him ahead of next year’s 2026 World Cup.
