Report: West Ham United had agreed £27m deal for Premier League forward in January | OneFootball

January plans unravel for West Ham

West Ham United appeared close to adding a striker early in the window, with Crystal Palace agreeing a deal in principle to sell Eddie Nketiah for £27m, according to The Athletic.

That plan collapsed quickly. A hamstring injury sustained in training rendered any possible move moot, and the forward has not featured this calendar year. In a market already shaped by caution, the episode became a reminder of how timing can dictate outcomes more than intent.

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Separate deal never aligned

Palace had explored the idea of proposing Callum Wilson heading the other way, but Oliver Glasner was initially unconvinced. By the time his stance softened, circumstances had shifted. Wilson’s winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur in mid month led to reintegration rather than exit, scuppering any chance of movement.

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For West Ham, it was a window defined by near misses rather than decisive action.

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January windows often promise solutions and deliver complications. The idea of securing a striker early made sense, particularly given the need for depth and reliability in key moments. Seeing that unravel because of an injury only reinforces why fans rarely place full faith in mid season recruitment.

There is also a sense that West Ham were passengers rather than drivers here. Plans depended on fitness, on Palace’s internal thinking and on another club’s manager changing his mind. That lack of control is what unsettles supporters most. It suggests a strategy reactive to circumstance rather than one shaping it.

At the same time, there is realism. Paying £27m for an injured player would have carried risk, and supporters understand why the club did not push. The Wilson angle felt opportunistic rather than essential, and his goal against Tottenham underlined why his own club hesitated.

Fans will hope lessons are taken forward. Summer business needs clarity, speed and fewer dependencies. West Ham are at their best when decisive, not when waiting for dominoes to fall.