West Ham United legend Tony Cottee has almost certainly echoed the many voices among the club’s fanbase as transfer deadline day approaches.
The January transfer window is set to close at 7pm GMT on Monday, 2 February 2026, and West Ham United have still not signed a defender at the time of writing.
Unless Nuno Espirito Santo improves his backline, there is simply no chance of the Hammers remaining in the Premier League.
On a scale of 1-10, how much does Axel Disasi actually improve West Ham’s defence? 👀
Not to knock him as a player, but he’s hardly played in months!
Indeed, West Ham have the worst defensive record in Europe’s major five leagues, and Jean-Clair Todibo is suspended for the next three games following his red card for violent conduct against Chelsea.
Supporters will no doubt be screaming out for new defenders and Cottee stressed the importance of that himself.
Tony Cottee urges West Ham to sign a new defender before the transfer window shuts
Quite why the club have left it this long is up for debate. They’ve strengthened pretty much every other outfield area other than the backline thus far.
After watching West Ham’s collapse against Chelsea, the Irons legend took to social media platform X to stress the need to sign a new defender by Monday’s deadline.
He wrote: “To stay in the PL, you really have to get at least a point if you’re 2-0 up at Chelsea … Too many goals conceded, we desperately need a CH [centre-half] by Monday.”
Would you take relegation if it meant that David Sullivan would leave?! 🤔
Not a nice position to be in – but what would YOU choose if you had to?
West Ham United’s plans to sign a new defender have been ruined
Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis is the latest name to have been linked with a move to east London during the dying embers of the window.
However, West Ham’s plans to sign Harwood-Bellis have been dealt a significant blow.
Indeed, Hammers News understands that the club are now panicking because their plans to leave it late in the hope Saints sell up have been complicated.
With Todibo now suspended, potential sellers know that the Irons will be desperate to land a new signing to boost defensive numbers.
As such, clubs like Southampton are in a strong position to demand more money.
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