Sullivan Slams the Brakes on Traore Move as Nuno Feels the Heat at West Ham

West Ham’s pursuit of Adama Traore has hit a snag, with David Sullivan unwilling to meet Fulham’s £7 million valuation. For Nuno Espirito Santo, who’s desperate for a jet-heeled wide threat to jolt his survival push, it’s a bitter pill. A 3-0 setback at his old haunt, Wolves, only sharpened the urgency — and the scrutiny.

Fulham hold the cards

Yes, Traore is out of contract this summer, but timing is everything. With Marco Silva juggling Africa Cup of Nations absences — including Nigeria call-ups that thin his options — there’s little appetite at Fulham to weaken the squad mid-window. The Cottagers know the market and the moment; the longer January drifts on, the more leverage they wield.

Sullivan draws a line in the sand

West Ham’s chairman is playing hardball on price. He won’t stretch to the full fee, banking on the ticking clock and Traore’s contract situation to bring Fulham to heel. It’s a risky bit of brinkmanship: the Hammers need speed and directness out wide, but dithering now could mean paying more later — or missing out entirely.

Nuno’s plan: reunite the old Wolves weapon

Nuno knows exactly what Traore offers: raw pace, chaos in transition, and a fright for any full-back. The pair worked well together at Wolves, and the Portuguese coach believes that spark could ignite West Ham’s counter-attacking threat. After Saturday’s humbling at Molineux, the logic is sound — but without movement from the boardroom, it stays theoretical.

Other irons in the fire

There is movement elsewhere. West Ham are close to another signing, with David Sullivan already green-lighting a £20 million move for Pablo Felipe, while Lazio striker Taty Castellanos is poised for an East London switch. If those deals land, they’ll ease some pressure — but the Traore stalemate remains the headline act.

Forest on Tuesday: a proper six-pointer

This trip to Nottingham Forest has all the feel of a season-shaper. West Ham sit third from bottom, four points behind their hosts, and Nuno badly needs a statement result. Since replacing Graham Potter in September, the numbers haven’t been kind: fewer points per game, more conceded, and no clean sheet under his watch. That’s the sort of cocktail that gets managers twitchy — and owners testing the nerve.

For those keeping an eye on the form and the markets ahead of Tuesday’s clash, this has must-win written all over it — you can size up the latest prices via our best betting sites. Just don’t be surprised if late-window brinkmanship over Traore rumbles on right up to the deadline.