West Ham edge closer to first January signing as Nuno identifies dream target

Cameron Smith

• 13 Nov 2025 10:54 GMT
• 4 min read

News

West Ham United boss Nuno Espirito Santo is reportedly interested in being reunited with former Wolverhampton Wanderers pupil Adama Traore in January.

The ex-Spain international has less than one year remaining on his current contract at Fulham and it’s understood that Marco Silva’s side could sanction a departure when the winter transfer window opens on New Year’s Day.

Current ETV

Adama Traoré

F, M (R)

Fulham

Adama Traoré

F, M (R)

Fulham

€6.6M

ETV Range

€5.6M - €7.6M

View full profile

Traore, who spent three years with Nuno at Wolves, is expected to leave Fulham in 2026 and West Ham are among the clubs eager to finalise a deal for his signature, according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett.

He posted on X: “West Ham interested in a possible deal for Fulham’s Adama Traore in January. Nuno has a very close relationship with the winger from Wolverhampton Wanderers days, and has tried to sign him before. Deal could be done, with Traore contract expiring this summer.”

Traore enjoyed the best season of his career under Nuno’s management, registering 13 goal contributions during the 2019-20 Premier League campaign, and he is viewed as a key target by the West Ham boss as he looks to guide the east London outfit away from the relegation zone.

They are currently languishing down in 18th place in the English top flight table, although they are only two points behind Newcastle United in 14th.

West Ham’s January transfer plans

In addition to Traore, it’s understood that West Ham are also eager to sign a new centre-back, a central midfielder and a striker during the upcoming January window.

Landing a new centre forward, in particular, has been identified as a key priority amid the struggles of Niclas Fullkrug and Callum Wilson so far this season.

The latter, who is currently injured, is without a goal this term and he has been heavily linked with a January return to the Bundesliga, with his agent recently admitting that his move to West Ham hasn’t worked out.

Meanwhile, Wilson, 33, has only scored two goals in nine games since his arrival on a Bosman deal from Newcastle United.

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