Nuno Espirito Santo’s hopes of landing his first-choice central defensive target at West Ham United are not over just yet, with the Premier League transfer window set to open in just over a month’s time.
The Hammers travel Bournemouth on Saturday in the knowledge that Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo will have to be at their most resilient. Antoine Semenyo is a doubt for Andoni Iraola but, nonetheless, the Cherries still have more than enough attacking thrust to expose the glaring weaknesses in Nuno Espirito Santo’s backline.
One-time West Ham United target Eli Junior Kroupi has been a Bournemouth revelation. And Evanilson, while not the most prolific of centre-forwards, possesses the wily movement and the physical power to leave even the finest defenders reaching for an aspirin.
West Ham haven’t won three successive matches in 23 months. If the visitors are to have any chance of climbing out of the relegation zone at the Vitality Stadium – they can actually rocket up to 14th if results go their way – Kilman and Todibo cannot afford a repeat of the defensive blunders which have haunted their careers in claret and blue.
With a number of central defenders shortlisted ahead of the January transfer window, meanwhile, there is plenty more at stake for Kilman and Todibo in the medium-term.
Hammers News can confirm that West Ham are in discussions with Charlie Cresswell again. A £15.8 million bid was lodged for Lecce’s Tiago Gabriel, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
And, in what could be a major boost for Nuno’s winter plans, Lille’s Brazilian international Alexsandro is targeting a return from injury as early as January.
West Ham United target Alexsandro could return for Lille in January now
Hammers News reported back in October that Nuno had made Alexsandro his number one pick in the central defensive department.
Valued at £25 million, he is the latest talented central defender to explode onto the scene at the Stade Pierre Mauroy. Leny Yoro and Gabriel Magalhaes emerged via Lille, too.
Initially, a quadriceps injury he suffered before the international break led to fears that Alexsandro could be out of action for four months. But after opting against undergoing surgery in favour of a period of rest over in Qatar, Nuno’s ‘chosen one’ is now hoping for a return to the pitch in early-2026.
“I think, and I feel deep down, that the best decision is not to have surgery,” Alexsandro told L’Equipe this week. “It’s a physical and mental conviction that’s driving me to make this choice.
“I no longer feel any pain. I can run. I just need to improve the healing of my tendon, which hasn’t been done very well these last two months.”
Nuno Espirito Santo wants Alexsandro signed as early as possible
If all goes to plan, a potential 12-week absence could be cut in half. Great news for Nuno, given that the West Ham boss dreams of having Alexsandro in at Rush Green straight after New Year’s Day.
“The Lille player was on Nuno’s list when he arrived and he is the top target,” a transfer source explains.
“Early talks have been held over price and whether the deal can be done and the signs are good. Ideally Nuno wants him in the building in the first week of January as every game is going to be so important.”
Bruno Genesio, Lille’s head coach, confirms that Alexsandro made the decision to dodge surgery because of his burning desire to represent Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, rather than because of the looming transfer window.
“[This was] a collective decision, agreed upon with everyone at the club,” Genesio said on Friday.
“He wanted to take the time to analyse the different solutions to heal as quickly as possible. Obviously, in his mind, there is a very important deadline for him at the end of the season.”
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