Striker greenlights January exit with West Ham bid expected ahead of immediate move
West Ham are expected to make an offer to sign one striker who’s ready to green-light an immediate January exit, according to reports this week.
West Ham target new striker in January
The east Londoners have identified recruiting a forward as one of their primary objectives for the January window as Nuno Espírito Santo battles to steer the club away from relegation.
Currently languishing in 18th with just 10 points from 15 Premier League games, the Hammers have managed a meagre 17 goals this season — the fourth-lowest amount in the top flight.
Callum Wilson’s recent form has been a major positive, but with 2024 summer flop Niclas Füllkrug expected to depart, West Ham quite simply need another option up top.
The German international has mustered just three goals in 29 appearances across all competitions whilst battling persistent injury problems since his move from Borussia Dortmund last year.
Niclas Füllkrug is set to leave the London Stadium in January following his lacklustre stint in England, so West Ham are believed to be looking at strikers to replace him.
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham
West Ham 1-5 Chelsea
Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham
West Ham 0-3 Tottenham
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace
Everton 1-1 West Ham
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
West Ham 0-2 Brentford
Leeds 2-1 West Ham
West Ham 3-1 Newcastle
West Ham 3-2 Burnley
Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham
West Ham 0-2 Liverpool
Man United 1-1 West Ham
Brighton 1-1 West Ham
His lacklustre displays indicate a mutual desire for separation, with Hamburg and Stuttgart reportedly monitoring his availability for a potential Bundesliga return.
West Ham have compiled an extensive shortlist of potential striker targets spanning multiple leagues.
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Santiago Gimenez remains under consideration at the London Stadium, despite his struggles at AC Milan following his January 2025 move from Feyenoord, with intermediaries actively offering the Mexican international to multiple clubs.
Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee has also been linked with a move to Rush Green, while it is believed that West Ham are big fans of Union Saint-Gilloise forward Promise David too.
Now, as per Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Lazio striker Taty Castellanos is another forward attracting their interest.
West Ham bid expected for Lazio striker Taty Castellanos
West Ham were linked with a move for the Argentine all the way back in 2022 during his time at New York City in the MLS, and that fondness for Castellanos hasn’t gone away.
According to Il Messaggero, Lazio are actively anticipating an offer worth between £22-26 million from West Ham for the 27-year-old forward.
Lazio desperately need funds to avoid another transfer ban as they continue battling severe financial difficulties.
Crucially, the report indicates Castellanos is prepared to join West Ham, or any other suitor, “straight away” as he looks to greenlight an exit from Rome next month.
The striker’s growing dissatisfaction with life under Maurizio Sarri at Lazio, particularly struggling to adapt to his manager’s tactical approach, means he’s quite keen to leave.
His desire for regular football stems from World Cup ambitions with Argentina, making a January departure increasingly attractive.
Castellanos would apparently give immediate approval to any Premier League approach, though La Liga clubs are also monitoring developments.
West Ham initially registered their interest during the summer transfer window when they made preliminary enquiries about the forward’s availability, with Nuno identifying striker reinforcements as his main January priority.
Lazio have already identified Atlético Madrid’s Giacomo Raspadori as a potential replacement, and the Italy international has told his representatives to explore opportunities within Serie A.
This preparation could prove instrumental in facilitating Castellanos’s London switch, with the clubs potentially willing to conduct business once suitable alternatives are secured.