YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT THIS CLUB OWNER JUST ADMITTED: West Ham Could Snatch the UNSTOPPABLE “ASSIST KING” for a LAUGHABLE £6.5M in January – “I HOPE” It Happens!
Despite their current struggles being self-inflicted through poor recruitment, uninspiring ownership and questionable managerial calls, West Ham United could still find a lifeline in the January transfer window.
West Ham United’s January window could define their season, with doubts remaining over whether the club can properly back Nuno Espirito Santo.
Failure to strengthen an unbalanced and largely underwhelming squad would almost certainly drag the Hammers into a relegation fight, making recruitment over the coming weeks critical.
Hammers News understands West Ham have already submitted a bid for Fulham winger Adama Traoré, although their London rivals are expected to demand around £5 million.
Traoré previously flourished under Nuno at Wolves, troubling elite managers such as Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp with his pace and power.
Despite ongoing criticism of his end product, the former Barcelona academy graduate registered seven Premier League assists during the 2025/26 campaign, underlining his creative value.
Another name on West Ham’s radar is FC Utrecht full-back Souffian El Karouani, currently one of Europe’s most reliable chance creators.
The Dutch-born Morocco international has earned the nickname “Assist King” in the Eredivisie and, like Traoré, could be available at a reduced fee due to his contract expiring in May.
While West Ham have not yet lodged a formal offer, Dutch outlet RTV believe a move to east London is likely.
Utrecht owner Frans van Seumeren has confirmed the club may be forced to sell El Karouani unless a new deal can be agreed.
A proposed £6 million move to Spartak Moscow was blocked last summer on moral grounds, but Utrecht now face a £6.5 million budget shortfall.
Van Seumeren admits selling El Karouani to a non-Russian club in early 2026 may be necessary, with West Ham, Marseille and Eintracht Frankfurt all linked.
El Karouani himself has not ruled out a Premier League switch, admitting that joining a bigger club could help his ambition of reaching the World Cup.
While he remains focused on finishing the year strongly with Utrecht, he has described West Ham as a “great club” and confirmed his agent is exploring options.
With El Hadji Malick Diouf unavailable due to Africa Cup of Nations duty, West Ham are keen to move quickly.
His absence has exposed weaknesses on the left, highlighted by Ollie Scarles’ difficult display in the recent home defeat to Fulham.
Though Nuno publicly defended the young defender, concerns remain over his form, adding urgency to West Ham’s transfer plans.
