West Ham are holding talks with European giants Benfica to sign Norwegian wonderkid Andreas Schjelderup and it is a clear sign Nuno Espirito Santo has given up on one star.
The Hammers have already spent £47m signing striker duo Taty Castellanos and Pablo for Nuno Espirito Santo in the January transfer window.
But the spending shows no sign of stopping as the West Ham board gambles on what would now be the greatest of all escapes.
The Irons are effectively eight points adrift of safety with 17 games to play having amassed seven fewer points at this stage of the season than they had when they were last relegated under the hapless Avram Grant in 2011.
Many now feel that same fate awaits this current Hammers side following a dismal run of 10 games without a win.
Nuno still believes West Ham can turn things around and survive.
West Ham trying to spend their way out of trouble
In order to do that, the Hammers will likely have to win at least seven, if not eight, of their remaining Premier League matches.
When the team has won just three from 21 so far, suddenly winning seven or eight from 17 seems improbable if not impossible.
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West Ham seem determined to try and spend their way out of trouble, though.
Nuno has insisted he still wants, needs and expects signings in the window after the double striker arrival.
Defenders and a goalkeeper are a priority according to various reports.
A deal to sign Adama Traore has also been in the works for some time.
Now West Ham are holding talks to sign wonderkid Andreas Schjelderup as Nuno clearly gives up on a current star.
The 21-year-old left winger, who can also play up front if needed, was signed by Benfica for around £12m last January.
Schjelderup is one of the rising stars of Norwegian football, having eight caps for the senior side – who will be playing at the World Cup at the end of the season.
West Ham hold talks to sign wonderkid Schjelderup
According to leading transfer reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, West Ham are holding talks with Benfica about a deal to bring Schjelderup to the London Stadium.
Roma are also interested but Di Marzio says it is West Ham who lead the way having already started negotiations with Benfica over a deal.
Schjelderup is a new name in the West Ham frame but would potentially bring a blend of creativity, intensity and modern attacking versatility that team currently lack.
Comfortable on either flank but most dangerous cutting in from the left, the Norwegian wonderkid offers close control, quick acceleration and the confidence to take defenders on in one-v-one situations.
He plays with a fearless edge, constantly looking to receive between the lines and drive at back fours rather than recycling possession.
Schjelderup’s off-the-ball work is another standout trait and something Nuno is clearly keen for all his signings to possess.
Like Pablo and Castellanos, Schjelderup presses aggressively, tracks runners and shows a maturity beyond his years in defensive phases, making him well-suited to the physical and tactical demands of the Premier League.
Technically, his sharp passing in tight spaces and ability to combine quickly around the box would add unpredictability to West Ham’s attacking play.
Perhaps most importantly, Schjelderup represents upside. At his age, he offers long-term value, resale potential and the chance to build an attack around pace, bravery and intelligence rather than short-term fixes.
Nuno has given up on Summerville after new West Ham move
If the Hammers can pull this one off then it will raise hopes for a season-saving end of season drive to safety.
The Schjelderup move looks like being bad news for Crysencio Summerville.
The flying Dutchman looked set to be a key player for the Hammers following his return from eight months out with injury earlier this season.
That has proved to be a false dawn, though, with the former Leeds winger’s end product nothing short of abysmal.
Summerville has great speed and ability but West Ham fans have bemoaned his contribution in terms of goals and assists.
He has been in and out of the team under Nuno of late.
Now it seems Nuno has seen enough of him too if a move for Schjelderup has been ordered.
Should West Ham prove successful in their bid, Summerville will undoubtedly be the one to make way.
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