West Ham’s transfer window is showing signs of life once again, with five potential exits and three incoming deals now being discussed as movement around the Lucas Paqueta situation gathers pace.
After a fast start to the window, which saw the Hammers spend £47m on strikers Taty Castellanos and Pablo just 48 hours in, West Ham’s window has stalled somewhat.
There has been talk of multiple deals being ready to go for a full-back, a goalkeeper, a centre-back, midfielders and further attackers.
But West Ham’s horrific results against Wolves and Forest plunged Nuno Espirito Santo’s side ever deeper into crisis with many writing them off as relegation certainties.
What is now effectively an eight-point gap to safety has made signing players all the more difficult for the Hammers.
That has been reflected in a barren couple of weeks since the arrival of West Ham’s new strike duo.
West Ham window reignites around Paqueta deal
After a much-needed victory over QPR in the FA Cup – West Ham’s first win in 11 games – there is now a semblance of optimism ahead of a trip to injury-ravaged and under-fire rivals Spurs.
Now there it seems there is also some movement on the transfer front in terms of exits and arrivals.
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Nuno has been talking about the importance of re-balancing West Ham’s squad.
The Portuguese has not hidden the fact that will mean several players departing while insisting the owners will be backing him with further signings.
Now it looks like five out and three in as West Ham’s window reignites around the Lucas Paqueta deal.
It seems increasingly likely Paqueta may be sold to Flamengo if reports out of Brazil are to be believed.
David Sullivan’s actions suggest a West Ham deal for Paqueta is close.
It has been reported over the last couple of days that the Hammers would be meeting with Flamengo on Friday to discuss terms.
Brazilian journalist Pablo Rua claimed on Friday night that the meeting between Flamengo, West Ham and Paqueta is ‘taking place right now’.
Rua says the final situation over Paqueta will be clear in a few hours with the expectation that the 28-year-old midfielder will arrive in Brazil and join Flamengo in January.
Word out of West Ham is that they need Paqueta to stay given the club’s grave situation.
Paqueta one of five set to leave West Ham?
But it has been suggested that is West Ham’s way of driving up the price Flamengo have to pay for the Brazil international.
The Hammers are said to be looking for around £42.5m to sell and that would see an influx of cash for the Irons to spend on reinforcements to try and stay up.
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Paqueta won’t be the only West Ham player leaving, though.
Andy Irving looks set for a move away – potentially to Sparta Prague according to reports at home and in the Czech Republic.
Sparta are owned by Daniel Kretinsky, West Ham’s second biggest stakeholder, and are said to be closing on a move for Scotland international Irving.
The Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath claims Al-Shabab have offered Callum Wilson a move after he was told he could leave by Nuno.
Wilson is said to be in talks over a contract termination and McGrath says he could travel to the Middle East to finalise a move next week.
Hammers News understands Wilson actually has Premier League interest as well as from clubs in the Championship.
But the soon-to-be 34-year-old may opt for a lucrative Saudi switch at this stage.
Guido Rodriguez is another who looks set to depart the London Stadium.
Juventus have been heavily linked with the Argentine as a stop-gap signing.
Hammers target trio – but it might be four if Paqueta does depart
But Gremio are now emerging as the favourites to sign the defensive midfielder, who has barely had a look-in under both Graham Potter and Nuno.
Rodriguez has remained a consummate professional, though, and is a positive and popular member of the squad – often seen encouraging teammates even when they are going on to the pitch ahead of him from the bench.
Another who could be on his way out is goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
Signed as West Ham’s new number one for £15m in the summer, the Dane found himself out of the side after just four disastrous appearances.
He played in West Ham’s cup win over QPR, meaning he has been in goal for 50 per cent of the club’s pathetic four wins this season.
Hermansen has also kept West Ham’s only clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Nuno’s Forest.
Lazio and several other clubs have been linked with Hermansen.
But the 25-year-old is reportedly happy to stay and fight for his place.
That may change if one of three players West Ham are actively trying to sign does indeed arrive.
West Ham have reportedly made a move for Hermansen’s fellow Dane Filip Jorgensen and he wants to join.
Chelsea are currently ‘blocking’ any exit for Jorgensen but the situation may well change with the player desperate to leave to secure a regular starting spot elsewhere.
One man who looks likely to be moving from west to east London first, though, is Adama Traore.
Just one day into Nuno’s tenure, Hammers News was the first to exclusively reveal Traore would be joining West Ham in January.
Arrey-Mbi, Jorgensen and Traore in West Ham’s sights
That move was expected to be completed as soon as the window opened.
But Nuno has had to wait for a reunion with the muscle-bound winger after Fulham put the move on hold while they had three key players at AFCON with Nigeria.
Now they are out, Fulham are expected to allow Traore to join West Ham for a knockdown fee with his contract up in the summer.
Hammers News understands West Ham are looking at alternatives to top centre-back target Charlie Cresswell after failing to meet Toulouse’s increasing demands.
Interest from other clubs has prompted the Ligue 1 side to ask for more money than the £15m that was reported to be enough to get a deal done.
As a result, Hammers News understands from a leading agent source connected to the club that West Ham have launched a new inquiry for Braga’s 22-year-old German centre-back Bright Arrey-Mbi.
Cameroon-born Arrey-Mbi has actually represented both England and Germany at youth levels internationally.
If West Ham fans recognise the name, that is because the Hammers tried but failed to sign Arrey-Mbi on loan with an option to buy on deadline day in the summer.
There could even be a further departure and addition for Nuno too.
If Paqueta does leave then a new attacking midfielder may be sought – with West Ham reportedly interested in one of Flamengo’s versatile stars.
Meanwhile, flop Igor Julio could have his West Ham loan cancelled with interest in the Brazilian defender from several clubs, including back in his homeland.
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