West Ham United want Manfred Ugalde in January with release clause ready
West Ham United want to sign Spartak Moscow striker Manfred Ugalde ahead of the upcoming transfer window, according to TBR Football.
The news outlet reports [19 December] that the Hammers have been keeping tabs on the 22-year-old, who has a release clause of £25 million.
Ugalde joined Spartak Moscow in January 2024 but could leave the Russian outfit next month after attracting interest from top Premier League teams like Manchester City and Arsenal.
Julen Lopetegui will be without Michail Antonio after his road traffic accident for the foreseeable future, and the Irons have made Evan Ferguson their top target for the January window [TEAMtalk, 16 December].
Who is West Ham United target Manfred Ugalde?
Ugalde is a Costa Rica international who plays for Spartak Moscow after his move from FC Twente at the start of 2024.
The 22-year-old centre-forward started his senior career at home with Deportivo Saprissa before playing in Belgium and the Netherlands.
After a somewhat underwhelming spell in Russia last season, the striker has come into his own, scoring 15 league goals in 18 appearances in the 2024/25 campaign.
West Ham bought Niclas Fullkrug in the summer to lead the line, but the German’s fitness issues have meant that Lopetegui has had to find different solutions, and the striker has struggled to find his feet at the East London club.
Antonio was relied upon in the number nine position, but Jarrod Bowen has had to fill the void as the striker with the Jamaican sidelined.
While Ugalde is a young prospect with a potentially high ceiling, the Hammers can’t take a gamble on the Costa Rican for now and should focus on bringing better options to the London Stadium to bolster their attack.
In other West Ham news, a Juventus midfielder is of interest to the Irons ahead of January.
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