Nuno Outlines Former Star as Fresh West Ham Target

West Ham Lock Eyes with Former Nuno Talent

West Ham United can't get away from the transfer news at the moment, can they? The pending departure of Niclas Fullkrug to Serie A giants AC Milan has prompted a frantic striker search at The London Stadium this winter, with a whole host of other options being tipped for capital switches by way of the Hammers.

Nuno Espirito Santo has not yet overseen a transfer window with West Ham, having joined following the summer's closure after his dismissal by Nottingham Forest, and the Portuguese coach has identified a former star of his as a fresh target for the forthcoming January transfer window.

The fact this is his West Ham career highlight, celebrating a disallowed goal before then getting thumped 5-1 says it all. pic.twitter.com/1ddekqnSUg

— James (@JameswhufcJones) December 23, 2025

Traore Lined Up for West Ham Switch

Adama Traore is the player in mind, with the Spanish winger having a long-term admirer in Nuno Santo after the former Wolves manager sought to re-sign him to his watch as the Nottingham Forest manager.

The 29-year-old first played under Nuno between the years of 2018 and 2021, and for a further two years after Santo's Wolves departure. He became one of the most popular figures at the club during that time, and rose to small fame amongst neutrals for his fiendish speed and stocky build.

Adama Traore's way of defending an Arsenal corner... pic.twitter.com/4ZQHQi9urB

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 11, 2024

Now on the books at Fulham, who signed him following his release from Wolves in 2023, Traore has started 19 of his 48 Premier League appearances for the West London outfit with just one of those starts coming this season as the pacey winger takes on an impact sub role with the club.

Traore is free to leave Fulham with his contract set to expire at the end of the current season. Nuno, a long-term admirer of the Spaniard who tried to sign him whilst still in charge at Forest this summer, is claimed to be a huge driving force behind the move and is expected to make a deal happen within the opening few days of the winter transfer window, according to The Daily Mail.