West Ham United are scrambling to beat the clock ahead of their must-win clash with Wolves as they attempt to complete a crucial double signing in time.
The Hammers start the second half of a miserable season at Nuno Espirito Santo’s old club Wolverhampton Wanderers.
West Ham know they must win at least seven to nine games in order to get the points likely needed to stay in the Premier League.
The Irons are currently in the bottom three, effectively five points adrift of safety after recording just 14 points from the opening 19 games – their worst tally since the club was relegated under Avram Grant in 2010/11.
It has been clear since the summer that West Ham’s squad was nowhere near good or thick enough to compete in the top flight.
Nuno demands early West Ham signings and it looks like he’ll get them
And so it has proved with the Hammers winning just three games all season so far.
Nuno inherited a ramshackle squad from Graham Potter and, after taking just one point from must-win home games against Fulham and Brighton, the Hammers boss admitted he needs signings.
Who do you think will be West Ham’s FIRST signing of 2026? 🤑
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In fact Nuno has demanded West Ham’s owners make signings quickly – insisting he has told them the names of players he wants, contrary to word emerging from the boardroom.
Days after Nuno joined the Hammers in September, Hammers News exclusively revealed West Ham planned to make Adama Traore his first signing.
Muscle-bound winger Adama Traore has been on the fringes at Fulham but played some of the best football of his career under Nuno at Wolves.
Hammers News understands that exclusive is now on the verge of being proved correct with Traore set to sign for a nominal fee on an initial six-month deal with the option for a further two years.
It is not clear as yet whether Traore’s extra two years will be solely dependent on West Ham staying up or geared towards appearances and the like.
West Ham are pushing to get the Traore deal done before Friday’s 12pm player registration cut-off for the trip to Wolves.
The Hammers simply must beat Nuno’s old side to start their bid for Premier League survival.
Traore may not be the only new face in the squad for that huge game either.
West Ham race to seal double signing as striker Pablo jets in
Because West Ham are in a race to seal a double signing for the Wolves clash as striker Pablo jets to London.
Portuguese side Gil Vicente’s 21-year-old forward Pablo is on his way to east London in the coming hours to become the much-needed striker signing and provide support for Callum Wilson.
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Pablo is said to be very keen on joining West Ham and personal terms are not expected to be a problem.
The fee is believed to be around £17.5m for the striker, who has 10 goals and an assist in 13 games for Gil Vicente so far this season.
West Ham wanted Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves but have baulked at his £40m valuation.
Especially after having their fingers burned signing the hapless Max Kilman for the same fee 18 months ago.
Hammers News understands Pablo is expected in east London in the next 24 hours with a view to trying to complete his medical and registration for Friday’s 12pm deadline.
The news on Pablo has accelerated quickly due to West Ham’s alliance with Nuno’s super-agent Jorge Mendes.
Hammers insider ExWHUemployee is also reporting that Pablo is on his way to London in the coming days to complete a move.
What would Pablo bring to West Ham
For a start anyone with the name Pablo is welcome at the London Stadium thanks to the impression left by Pablo Fornals.
The striker on his way to sign for the Hammers is known simply as Pablo but his full name is Pablo Felipe Pereira de Jesus.
He would offer West Ham a fresh attacking dimension but the big question will be whether he can keep up his productivity and show his potential in the best league in the world.
Statistically, Pablo generates frequent shots on target and contributes to build-up play, which will help bring Jarrod Bowen, Traore and Crysencio Summerville into the game more.
At 6ft 1in, Pablo has decent physical presence and movement to threaten defenders and create space for others.
But West Ham fans should be warned this is a developing forward who still has lots of room to grow and may even have been signed with one eye on the worst case scenario of dropping into the Championship.
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