WEST HAM’S DESPERATE MASTERSTROKE: Snatching Ex-Leeds Hero in SHOCK Transfer Raid to CRUSH His Former Club and Escape Relegation Hell! You Won’t Believe What Happens Next!

West Ham United’s relegation worries deepened on Sunday as they twice surrendered the lead at home to Aston Villa, eventually falling to a damaging 3-2 defeat.

Elsewhere, Leeds United were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford, a result that further underlined the growing tension between the two clubs at the foot of the Premier League table.

Leeds have now collected five points from their last three matches, leaving West Ham three points adrift in 18th place and occupying the final relegation position.

As it stands, only a remarkable 3-0 victory away at Manchester City, combined with a Leeds defeat against Crystal Palace, would allow Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to escape the drop zone next weekend.

With Wolves widely considered certain to be relegated and Burnley also struggling badly, attention has turned to a straight fight between West Ham and Leeds for survival.

Nottingham Forest’s upturn in form under Sean Dyche has further sharpened the focus on this head-to-head battle.

As a result, the January transfer window is expected to play a decisive role in determining who retains their Premier League status.

Both clubs are preparing to strengthen. West Ham have pledged to back Nuno with at least three new signings and insist they are “confident rather than hopeful” of doing business when the window opens.

Leeds, meanwhile, are also expected to be active, ensuring each side will closely monitor the other’s recruitment plans.

West Ham’s top priority remains the signing of a striker. Since Nuno’s arrival, the lack of recognised forwards has been a glaring issue, highlighted again against Villa when the Hammers were forced to play without a natural number nine.

Despite Callum Wilson making a reasonable impact since arriving on a free transfer, Nuno appears unconvinced by the ageing forward.

Leeds, in contrast, have benefited from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who scored again against Brentford after West Ham declined the chance to sign him due to injury concerns.

Defensive frailties are also a major concern in east London, with West Ham regularly conceding soft goals and needing to score multiple times just to stay competitive.

As a result, signing a centre-back is back on the agenda, with former Leeds defender Charlie Cresswell emerging once again as a leading target.

West Ham failed to land Cresswell in the summer after Toulouse rejected a £13m bid, with the Hammers unwilling to go beyond a loan proposal.

Since then, the Leeds academy graduate has impressed in France and was a key figure in England Under-21s’ European Championship triumph.

Now, with relegation fears mounting, West Ham are expected to renew talks in January, raising the prospect of Cresswell playing a pivotal role in their survival bid—possibly at the expense of his former club.