A side-by-side image of West Ham players Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen, and manager Nuno Espirito Santo in a circular inset.

Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen and Nuno Espirito SantoImago

Three things still on Nuno Espirito Santo's wish list at West Ham this transfer window

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Published on:

20 Jul 2026, 3:10 pm

West Ham United remain somewhat in a state of flux this transfer window.

Last season's calamitious relegation from the Premier League has severely hindered their plans in the market.

Mateus Fernandes has already been sold to Tottenham in an £85million deal, and Crysencio Summerville looks destined to depart - potentially for Roma.

Uncertainty shrouds several other players in the Hammers' first-team squad as well.

It means Nuno Espirito Santo has plenty of things on his wish list in the transfer market.

Here, West Ham Zone has narrowed that wish list down to three priorities, which is no easy task.

West Ham must address centre-back issue

There are a lot of gaping holes in the squad that need addressing, but centre-back looks a particular issue.

Axel Disasi's loan from Chelsea has finished, Jean-Clair Todibo will surely leave, and Konstantinos Mavropanos has his admirers.

Max Kilman struggled for form last season, too, so it is a big worry for Nuno.

West Ham Zone has covered how Leicester City defender Harry Souttar is a prominent target for the Hammers.

Middlesbrough's Dael Fry is another name has cropped up on the rumour mill, while Dylan Lawlor of Cardiff City and Ben Nelson, also of Leicester, have been mentioned.

What we know and don't know about West Ham's transfer window so far: Summerville exit and Gustavo Sa pursuit

West Ham need firepower and fast

There is growing confidence that captain Jarrod Bowen might stick around to lead West Ham's first attempt to return to the Premier League.

But losing Summerville, which appears an inevitability, will be a big blow to Nuno's squad.

Callum Wilson has also opted to depart to join Brentford to act as back-up to Igor Thiago.

It means West Ham need far more in the attacking areas, and Leicester's Abdul Fatawu, and Gustavo Sa of Famalicao have been mentioned as options.

Simon Adingra and Tom Watson are others who have been mentioned with a switch, and the Hammers need to get a shift on here.

West Ham need more dynamism in midfield

The loss of Fernandes in midfield means there is a real lack of creativity in the centre of the park.

Freddie Potts and George Earthy will hope for more game time, while Tomas Soucek is a solid option.

But you feel more is needed to really improve the Hammers midfield options, and Sheffield United's Sydie Peck and James McAtee of Nottingham Forest have been mooted as targets.

Arne Engels and Reo Hatate of Celtic have also been mooted, but you would expect both to have plenty of options if they seek new pastures.

Tomas Soucek