What West Ham fans need to know as Morgan Whittaker wanted in bid for promotion

West Ham United are interested in signing Middlesbrough's Morgan Whittaker.

The Hammers have yet to really get the ball rolling with their own transfers this summer, but want new players in before their season starts.

The Irons kick their season off with a Carabao Cup game against Portsmouth, which will then be followed by their Championship opener against Burnley on 16 August.

However, it appears that Nuno Espirito Santo is keen to get a new signing in before the trip to Turf Moor, with Whittaker a key target.

The forward helped Middlesbrough into the play-off final last year, where they eventually lost to Hull City in stoppage time.

Now, West Ham could steal Whittaker from their promotion rivals as Nuno looks to add firepower to his attack.

What West Ham fans need to know about Morgan Whittaker

According to a report from talkSPORT this Friday, West Ham want to sign Whittaker before their Championship campaign starts.

The winger played an "instrumental" role for Boro last season, finishing as their top scorer with 14 goals, and grabbing seven assists, too.

It's said that the Teessiders are keen to retain the 25-year-old's services, but may struggle to do so given the interest coming from the London Stadium.

The Englishman only joined Kim Hellberg's side from Plymouth Argyle in January of 2025 in a deal worth around £7million, and though he took a while to get going at the Riverside Stadium, last season he took flight.

Whittaker is a left-footed right-winger, a dead-ball specialist, and has an eye for goal from long range.

Pros and cons with Whittaker's possible West Ham move

Nuno could have more than one new signing come the game against Burnley, as West Ham Zone understands that Celtic's Arne Engels is wanted at the London Stadium.

However, Whittaker is under contract with Boro until the winter of 2029, and will most likely demand well over £10m.

Unless Nuno plans on using Jarrod Bowen as a striker, West Ham will be paying a premium for a bench option.

Not only that, but the Hammers could do with some pace in attack, something which Whittaker lacks.

But what he doesn't have, he makes up for with his ball-striking and chance creation abilities.

It's definitely a move that would raise eyebrows for different reasons in E20.