West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo has a lot of work to do if he is to guide his side away from the relegation zone during the second half of the season.
In truth, Nuno has flattered to deceive since taking over from Graham Potter as the West Ham boss in September.
Perhaps the most damning indictment of his tenure so far is that the Hammers are still yet to keep a clean sheet during the four months he has been in charge.
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been dominating the transfer talk throughout the January transfer window so far.
It’s clear that the Brazilian wants to leave the London Stadium this month.
And now it seems like another Hammer wants to join him by heading out the exit door.
Nuno Espirito Santo has a problem as £20m player wants out of West Ham
The Hammers boss has already signed two strikers in January.
However, it could be argued that the West Ham boss needs to strengthen every single department of his squad this month.
The priorities should be the additions of a new centre-back, preferably two, and a powerful and athletic central midfielder.
Now it seems like Nuno may have to focus on strengthening another position urgently as well.
That’s because Corriere dello Sport (print edition January 14th, page 14) claims that Mads Hermansen wants to leave West Ham in January.
Lazio are said to be keen to sign the Hammers goalkeeper.
The former Leicester City stopper has been so poor for the Hammers since joining them in August of 2025.
In fact, Hermansen’s time at West Ham has been painful and it would be no surprise if he was moved on.
Perhaps January is not the best time for him to leave, though.
He has only played four games for West Ham, conceding a truly incredible 11 goals in the process.
The Dane looked really shaky with his feet whenever he played for West Ham as well – a department of his game where he was supposed to excel.
Hermansen leaving West Ham would cause Nuno an unnecessary problem
The Hammers would not miss Hermansen if he left, but his exit would cause another kind of problem for the club.
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However, if the 25-year-old does move on this month, Nuno will obviously have to sign another goalkeeper.
And as things stand, the West Ham boss has far more pressing issues at hand than adding another goalkeeper to his ranks.
If Hermansen leaves West Ham, Nuno Espirito Santo’s focus will have to shift slightly in the January transfer window.
The Dane can leave the Hammers, but perhaps the summer would be a better time to do it.
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