Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Sat 24 January 2026 18:53, UK

West Ham’s pursuit of Adama Traore seems to have taken another turn.

Nuno Espirito Santo has been chasing his former Wolves player since the winter transfer window opened, and there seemed to be fresh developments.

West Ham had reportedly agreed a deal to sign Traore, as Italian journalist Matteo Moretto claimed that it was a done deal on 24 January.

However, that does not seem to be the case.

Adama Traore may be on the move, but will West Ham be his destination?

West Ham needed attacking reinforcements, and it looked like they were finally going to get their man.

However, several reports emerged on 24 January stating that the potential deal was stalling, after a U-turn from the player.

Now, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook has claimed that Marco Silva has confirmed that Traore will leave the Cottagers this month.

But with the deal with the Hammers falling apart, it may not be the London Stadium where he ends up in a bizarre twist.

• Read More: Lucas Paqueta to Flamengo to be signed off as likely West Ham fee now set

West Ham should have other priorities than Traore

It seemed like a peculiar move anyway, as the Hammers have already brought in three attackers.

Obviously, Traore would have brought a pace and directness than Nuno’s side currently lack, but they have already invested significantly in forwards.

Pablo, Taty Castellanos and Keiber Lamadrid have joined the Irons this month, so surely their focus should have been elsewhere.

Guido Rodriguez and Lucas Paqueta look as though they have sealed exits, and James Ward-Prowse is out of favour with Nuno, so they could do with at least another body in the engine room.

They also need recruits in defence, as they have conceded 45 goals in 23 matches, the most in the division, with Burnley just behind them.

So far there has been no movement on either of those front, which is strange, considering the E20 outfit have already made a big splash on their final third presence.

They would be wise to now strengthen other areas and put themselves in the best possible position to escape the drop zone.

If they don’t, there is a very real chance that they could be relegated to the Championship, which would be absolutely disastrous, in terms of both the atmosphere and the financial implications.

Stay up to date this winter with our West Ham transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at the London Stadium, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.