Nuno’s Reunion Plan: West Ham Plot Move for Adama Traore as January Shake-Up Looms

West Ham are ready to roll the dice this January, with David Ornstein revealing the Hammers could lodge a bid for Fulham winger Adama Traore as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to reunite with a former favourite. It’s a move dripping with logic: raw pace, Premier League know‑how, and a manager who’s already cracked the code on how to use him.

Ornstein: Hammers prepare Traore bid

Speaking on NBC Sports, Ornstein suggested Fulham may sanction exits on the flanks this winter, with both Adama Traore and Harry Wilson attracting attention. The word from East London is that West Ham are weighing up an offer for Traore, a player Nuno signed for Wolves back in 2018 and maximised over three seasons at Molineux.

Why Nuno fancies a reunion

Traore hasn’t been a regular under Marco Silva this term – just one league start and 11 cameos off the bench. But we’ve seen this film before: give him space, point him at a full-back, and he’s a nightmare to contain. Last season he featured 36 times in the league, chipping in with two goals and seven assists, a tidy return considering his injury-disrupted first campaign at Craven Cottage. At his best he’s borderline uncontainable, and Nuno knows exactly how to weaponise that straight-line power.

Fulham’s wing logjam

Fulham have stocked up out wide, bringing in Kevin and Samuel Chukwueze in the summer, which nudged Traore down the order. With Wilson also drawing admiring glances, Silva’s got decisions to make if bids land.

Striker hunt and wider January plans

It won’t stop at one attacker either. West Ham are exploring at least two forward additions, including a new No 9 amid Niclas Fullkrug’s agreement to join AC Milan on loan with an option to buy. A replacement centre-forward is being sourced, with Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen among those admired. The remit is clear: add pace, end product and a focal point – quickly.

Form and league reality

Since Nuno took charge at the end of September, West Ham have managed only three wins and sit 18th, five points from safety. Three points from the last six league outings – capped by a bruising 3-0 defeat at Manchester City – underline why January can’t be a window for dithering.

Swansea’s Vipotnik on the radar

There’s Championship interest too. Swansea City’s Zan Vipotnik is on the shortlist after a lively start to the campaign – nine goals and an assist in 20 matches for the Swans has put him in the frame as a viable, value play up top.

Pundit’s verdict: high risk, high reward

If West Ham get Traore right, they add chaos, territory and fear – three priceless commodities for a side in a scrap. Use him as the late-game wrecking ball or give him licence to stretch teams from the off; either way, Nuno’s blueprint from Wolves travels well. The finishing has never been elite, but the carry, the metres gained and the sheer panic he induces are real. Pair that with a competent No 9 and you’ve got a far more dangerous Hammers outfit overnight.

January is about decisive moves. If you’re weighing up where Traore and West Ham go next, have a look at the latest markets on our best betting sites and keep an eye on how quickly the Hammers move once the window opens.

The bottom line

Traore to West Ham ticks plenty of boxes: manager familiarity, stylistic fit and an attainable price if Fulham open the door. Add a proper striker and one more wide threat, and Nuno might just have the tools to drag this side out of trouble.