Report: West Ham United could sign £17m forward in January | OneFootball

West Ham Step Up Striker Search as Promise David Emerges on January Radar

West Ham United continue to navigate a season defined by both promise and fragility. The 2-2 draw at Bournemouth served as another reminder of how narrow the margins remain. A first half marked by clinical finishing unravelled under second-half pressure, and only Alphonse Areola’s sharp interventions prevented a complete collapse. For Nuno Espirito Santo, the performance highlighted what many already accept: the January window carries significant weight in shaping West Ham’s direction. As reported by GiveMeSport.

Photo IMAGO

A new striker sits at the top of that agenda. The lack of depth in forward areas has exposed the squad at critical moments, and the club’s recruitment team is already moving to address this.

Interest in Promise David Signals January Intent

According to Claret & Hugh, West Ham have lodged an enquiry for Union Saint-Gilloise striker Promise David. The 6ft 5in forward has been described as a “machine” and has produced an impressive record since joining the Belgian club, scoring 32 goals in 60 appearances. Contracted until 2029, he is an established presence in the Belgian top flight and has already scored eight times this season, including a goal in the Champions League during a 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven.

Photo IMAGO

David has emerged as a viable, cost-effective option at around £17m. Yet the landscape is complicated. Brighton, part of the same multi-club network as Union Saint-Gilloise, are considered strong contenders and have tracked him since the summer. Their structural ties give them an advantage, and any pursuit will require West Ham to act decisively.

Internal assessments at West Ham describe David as a striker with “top-flight readiness” and “the physical profile for Premier League survival battles,” sentiments consistent with his reputation abroad.

Photo IMAGO

Nuno’s Need for Goals Becomes More Urgent

West Ham’s recent history in the striker market is marked by false starts and underwhelming returns. The reference point remains Niclas Fullkrug, whose £27m arrival from Borussia Dortmund has yielded only three goals in the Premier League. The Bournemouth display offered a temporary lift as the club’s current first-choice striker moved to four goals for the season, but the wider evidence points to the need for reinforcement.

David’s attributes fit what Nuno requires: presence in the box, consistency in finishing and reliability in congested fixtures. His physical style matches the demands of clubs fighting to distance themselves from the relegation zone. For a squad lacking margin for error, such characteristics carry significant value.

Implications for Fullkrug and West Ham’s Forward Options

Any deal for Promise David would inevitably shape Fullkrug’s future. Interest from Hamburg and Wolfsburg offers the German striker a potential route out of the Premier League after a difficult spell. His agent, Thorsten Wirth, has already signposted the situation, stating it “makes sense” for the forward to leave in January.

Photo IMAGO

However, as reported by GiveMeSport’s Andrew Dillon, West Ham will not sanction an exit without either a credible replacement or a substantial financial offer. The club’s reluctance to weaken their depth mid-season underscores the precariousness of their situation.

David, should he arrive, could unlock that movement while giving Nuno a focal point capable of stabilising West Ham’s attacking output.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

West Ham supporters know the squad is thin in key areas, and the inability to manage the Bournemouth game after going 2-0 up reinforces those fears. Promise David sounds like exactly the profile of striker the club have missed for years: tall, powerful, reliable and someone who does not shrink when the pressure builds. The numbers speak for themselves, and fans are desperate for a forward who can turn half-chances into full rewards.

At the same time, supporters have seen too many striker signings go wrong to assume this will be straightforward. Brighton’s involvement is worrying. Their recruitment system is more streamlined, and they act quickly. West Ham, historically, do not. There is a real concern that dithering could allow another club to get the deal done while the Hammers watch from a distance.

The possible departure of Fullkrug will not draw much resistance from fans. His move never clicked, and even his agent has accepted that a January exit is sensible. But that makes securing a replacement even more important. West Ham cannot afford to enter February with only one fit striker and praying for good fortune.

Supporters want urgency, conviction and proper planning. If Promise David is the target, then West Ham must be aggressive. The club’s Premier League future might depend on it.