If reports are to be believed, West Ham United have contacted some of the biggest clubs in European football in pursuit of potential January signings, from Manchester United to Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Joshua Zirkzee is a West Ham target after falling out of favour at Old Trafford.
Hammers News can confirm that talks were held with Real Madrid regarding their baby-faced striking duo of Gonzalo Garcia and Endrick. Barcelona’s so-called new Andres Iniesta is reportedly a target, too; 17-year-old playmaking sensation Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez.
And, earlier this week, claims emerged in the German media saying that Bayern Munich right-back Sacha Boey has admirers at the London Stadium too.
In truth, West Ham United look pretty settled at right-back. The experienced Kyle Walker-Peters is a more-than capable back-up for reigning Hammer of the Year Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Nuno Espirito Santo is not quite so stocked on the left, though.
Ollie Scarles underwent surgery in October after dislocating his elbow against Leeds. This has left El Hadji Malick Diouf as the only natural left-back or left-wing-back in Nuno’s squad.
So, according to ESPN Brazil, West Ham have approached Monaco in an attempt to add some depth on the left-hand flank. Though Caio Henrique, who was linked with a move to East London back in 2024 as well, does not appear as keen on the Hammers as they are on him.
Caio Henrique plans to stay at Monaco despite West Ham United and Everton approach
Once of Santos and Atletico Madrid, the now-28-year-old Caio Henrique has spent half a decade in the Principality.
An attack-minded, set-piece specialist, Henrique has provided 39 assists in that time. He also looks well-suited to securing a starting berth for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, having won four of his five international caps this year.
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“Caio is a very intelligent player,” the recently-fired Adi Hutter said during a particularly impressive run of form. “He has four assists in the last seven games, with his great left foot.”
ESPN claim that West Ham, as well as David Moyes’ Everton, have both made contact with Caio Henrique’s representatives. The Hammers and the Toffees were hoping to gauge whether a January deal is both affordable and attainable, though the report adds that Henrique has no real interest in leaving Monaco mid-season.
He knows that a January misstep could scupper his hopes of featuring for the Selecao at next summer’s ‘Festival of Football’.
Interestingly, according to Diario AS, Barcelona also considered the idea of signing Caio Henrique a few months ago. The report claimed that Monaco value their long-serving leftie at around £13 million.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Alexsandro hopes may still be alive
Caio Henrique is not the only France-based, World Cup-seeking Brazil international on West Ham’s wishlist.
Hammers News were told back in October that Nuno Espirito Santo had picked Lille’s Alexsandro as his number one central defensive target. Talks took place between the Londoners and the Ligue 1 outfit a few weeks ago, with the early signs seeming positive.
A quadriceps injury appeared to have scuppered both West Ham’s hopes, and the defender’s World Cup ambitions.
However, in conversation with L’Equipe this week, Alexsandro is now targeting a speedy January return from an injury that was initially expected to keep him out of action for four months.
“I think, and I feel deep down, that the best decision is not to have surgery,” Alexsandro said. “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.”
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