West Ham may have found £26m Fullkrug alternative | OneFootball

Santiago Gimenez Emerges as Key Target for West Ham

West Ham United remain in an uneasy position, caught between the promise of recent performances and the realities of a relegation battle. Nuno Espirito Santo has steadied the ship with eight points from four matches, and there is a growing sense that the squad’s understanding of his structure is beginning to deepen. Yet the table remains unforgiving, and the gaps in this squad are clear. FootballFancast.com’s report shines a light on the club’s most urgent area of need, the forward line, and highlights Santiago Gimenez as a potential solution.

The departure of Niklas Fullkrug feels increasingly inevitable. Injuries have restricted him and, with only three goals in 29 appearances, both the club and player appear ready for a January parting. West Ham would then require a focal point, someone who can offer physical presence, goals and tactical discipline. FootballFancast.com note that “the Mexican forward is destined for a move to the Premier League, with the Irons one of the clubs who could put forward a bid of around €30m (equating to £26m).” That valuation reflects both his potential and his current standing in Serie A.

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West Ham’s Need for a Focal Striker

Gimenez offers the one trait West Ham lack most, a striker who can occupy defenders and link play. His 6 foot 1 frame is built for Premier League duels and his approach mirrors what Nuno requires from a central forward. The comparison with Chris Wood is unavoidable. Nuno’s most memorable work in England came with a striker capable of holding up play, absorbing contact and then springing attacks with well timed movements. As FootballFancast.com recall, Wood flourished under Nuno, becoming “one of the best in the Prem”, in the words of reporter Jamie Martin.

Gimenez’s ability to withstand pressure, protect the ball and draw fouls would immediately give West Ham a platform they currently lack. At AC Milan last season, he contributed five goals and two assists in limited minutes, demonstrating that he can influence matches even without a guaranteed starting role.

Tactical Fit Under Nuno

Nuno’s football relies on structure, discipline and intelligent transitions. For a forward, that means working selflessly while also providing a direct threat. Gimenez’s physique and timing make him an ideal candidate. He often initiates moves by controlling long passes, allowing his midfield to advance, and then drifts into pockets where he can finish attacks.

West Ham need someone who can relieve Jarrod Bowen of carrying too much of the goalscoring burden. Callum Wilson’s reliability is tempered by his injury record. Gimenez presents a different dynamic, a striker entering his peak, eager to prove himself in a league that rewards physical commitment.

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What Gimenez Could Change

FootballFancast.com’s report suggests that the club see him as more than a stop gap. His style suits Nuno’s ethos, and the prospect of using him as the attacking fulcrum mirrors Nuno’s successful approach at Nottingham Forest, where the system elevated Chris Wood into a talisman.

One West Ham source described Gimenez as “a forward built for momentum, the kind who shifts a team’s energy forward with every touch.” For a side seeking stability and identity, that carries significance.

If West Ham proceed with a bid and Milan sanction a move, Gimenez would arrive at a club craving direction. His success would depend on trust, rhythm and the service around him, but his profile feels aligned with what Nuno has been trying to build.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

West Ham supporters will approach this story with a blend of hope and caution. Hope, because the forward line has lacked a true focal point all season, and Gimenez’s profile fits the club’s desperate need for presence in the final third. Fans recognise how effective Nuno’s systems can be when the right striker leads the line. Those who watched Chris Wood thrive under the same manager may picture something similar, a powerful centre forward who connects attacks and chips in with steady goals.

But there will also be concerns. Supporters have watched expensive strikers struggle to adapt in recent years, and the mixed fortunes of Fullkrug, Scamacca and Haller serve as reminders of how delicate that transition can be. Some worry that €30m is a significant investment in a player who has impressed in flashes but has not yet dominated Serie A. Others will argue that this is precisely the sort of calculated risk the club must take.

Many fans will focus on how quickly Gimenez could integrate. West Ham need immediate contributions. If he arrives with sharp fitness, confidence and trust from Nuno, he could become the catalyst the team require. If not, supporters fear more turbulence in a season already defined by anxiety.