West Ham have failed with an opening offer for exciting Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo but may try again, Hammers News can exclusively reveal.
The Hammers are desperate to sign at least one new striker in the January transfer window.
Flop Niclas Fullkrug is fully expected to depart West Ham when the winter window opens in just over a month.
In fact West Ham have taken drastic action over Fullkrug’s future to try and ensure that is sorted as early as possible.
Signing a young, pacy and powerful forward was a top priority for the Irons in the summer.
West Ham pushing to get early deal lined up for striker
In the end, though, only ageing, injury-prone Callum Wilson arrived on a free transfer.
Fans were up in arms that was the case – and understandably so.
But Wilson has actually proved a shrewd signing so far with his four goals helping West Ham to pick up seven of their 11 points.
Despite Wilson’s success thus far, the lack of options available to Nuno Espirito Santo is of grave concern given West Ham are fighting for their Premier League lives.
Nuno identified signing a striker as his top priority after just one game at the helm.
West Ham have made it clear to Hammers News on multiple occasions that the manager will be backed to sign a forward.
A journalist with links to David Sullivan also revealed West Ham’s ambitious transfer plans for January include signing at least three new players.
West Ham have been linked with a host of forwards who all share one thing in common – they have strength and power to be a focal point and bring others into play.
The idea being Nuno wants Jarrod Bowen, Crysencio Summerville and Lucas Paqueta to benefit and get closer to the opposition’s goal.
The likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Endrick, Chris Wood, Gabriel Jesus, Franculino Dju and Santiago Gimenez have all been linked.
West Ham fail with opening offer for exciting striker Leonardo
Now West Ham have failed with an opening offer for exciting Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo but may try again.
The Hammers made a move for Leonardo back in January 2023, when he was still at Santos.
A transfer to West Ham did not materialise, though, and Leonardo – then just 19 – continued to underline his undoubted potential by banging in 54 goals for the Brazilian side.
Tim Steidten then arrived at West Ham in the summer of 2023 and reignited interest in Leonardo.
Steidten flew to Brazil to hold talks with Santos and Leonardo but to no avail as he went on to join Benfica for just £15m with a ludicrous £135m release clause.
After eight goals in six months in Portugal, Benfica cashed out, selling Leonardo to Saudi outfit Al Hilal for an undisclosed fee.
Now West Ham could have the chance to finally sign the star, who is only one goal off 100 in his club career at just 22 years of age.
West Ham were linked with Leonardo again a couple of months ago when it emerged he may force FIFA to release him from his Al Hilal contract after being left out of the Saudi club’s squad.
Nottingham Forest were also heavily linked with Leonardo, who has eight goals in nine appearances for Al Hilal so far this season, when Nuno was their manager.
The Hammers boss is said to be a big fan – a factor behind West Ham trying again for the forward.
West Ham are casting their net far and wide in the search for a striker ahead of January.
Ideally Nuno wants a move lined up nice and early with every game vital in West Ham’s bid to stay up.
Hammers may try again for Leonardo but eye David
Hammers News can reveal one of the players in Nuno’s sights is Leonardo.
A top transfer source with knowledge of West Ham’s transfer activity has told Hammers News that an offer was put to Al-Hilal for Leonardo.
The Hammers are believed to have offered around £20m for Leonardo as part of a loan deal with an option or obligation to buy depending on whether Nuno keeps the club up.
The offer did not succeed, though, with Al Hilal reportedly adamant they won’t open the door for Leonardo to leave after his stunning start to the current campaign.
The Saudi side are insisting Leonardo is not for sale, but it remains to be seen whether West Ham try again in an effort to change their mind.
The failed bid may explain the Hammers’ push to bring in another reported target.
That’s after a journalist claimed the Hammers are leading the chase for giant forward Promise David.
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