West Ham's January transfer priorities: Three positions Nuno Espirito Santo may need to address

January is months away, but West Ham will already have an idea of what must be done.

The summer window was a slow roll for the Hammers, who lost two of their key players in Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville.

The pair both brought in hefty fees for the E20 outfit, but West Ham did not conduct their first incoming until the beginning of August.

Nuno Espirito Santo is pushing for promotion, and heading back into the market in the winter window could be the difference.

West Ham still have a few gaps left in their squad, making that window all the more important.

Here is what West Ham need to get done in the January window.

Why a midfield reshuffle is still needed at West Ham

West Ham currently have six midfielders who can make up the midfield two that Nuno has been utilising.

However, a couple of them would rather be elsewhere than London Stadium.

Soungoutou Magassa wanted to leave West Ham, but the Irons blocked his exit from happening.

While Edson Alvarez looked certain to depart in the summer window, but a move away did not occur for the Mexican.

It remains to be seen how and if the 28-year-old can be reintegrated to play a role.

So, Nuno may need to address the future of those two players, which could see the Hammers then dip into the market to add another midfielder.

More attacking deadwood to be addressed at West Ham

The forward areas could also be a priority area for the Hammers.

Maxwel Cornet is still part of West Ham's squad, and while his contract expires in June 2027, the Irons have an option to extend it by a year.

A decision may have to be made as to whether to utilise that option in order to try bring in funds, or just allow him to get off the wage book and depart for free at the end of the season.

Either way, making a decision between now and January will be a priority.

Additionally, the development of Keiber Lamadrid will decide whether another wide forward is needed.

Madrid, Cornet, Manor Solomon, Edvin Austbo and Jarrod Bowen are the current wingers.

If two become surplus to requirements, an additional wide forward will be needed.

Could West Ham look to part ways with Pablo?

Pablo's West Ham career has been poor so far by a striker's standards.

The Brazilian has still yet to find the net for the Hammers since making a move from Portugal to London Stadium.

With Joel Piroe hitting the ground running, and netting twice in his first four games, and Taty Castellanos showing last season he can be a goal threat, Pablo's place may be at threat.

If he does not improve between now and January, a consideration of parting ways and bringing another number nine in will have to go into the thinking.