West Ham’s Striker Mission: Romano Confirms “Absolute Priority”
Top transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that adding a proven striker is an “absolute priority” for West Ham United as the London club seeks to beat off competition from the likes of Manchester United and Aston Villa for a high-profile January signing. (LondonWorld)
Why West Ham are so urgent
West Ham’s urgency in the striker market stems from a combination of poor returns from recent acquisitions and mounting pressure in the Premier League. They invested heavily in Niclas Fullkrug in summer 2024 (circa £27 m), but the German forward has yet to deliver the goals expected. (LondonWorld) Meanwhile, the club’s boss, Nuno Espírito Santo, is operating under the shadow of a potential relegation battle—making reinforcement up front non-negotiable. (LondonWorld)
Romano’s comments underline the fact that West Ham are not simply “looking” for a striker—they’re making it the priority. That marks a clear strategic shift: rather than tentative link-stories, West Ham are prepared for a decisive January move.
The target and the competition
The latest firm link concerns the young Endrick of Real Madrid: 19 years old, full of promise, but currently struggling for minutes under Xabi Alonso. (LondonWorld) West Ham, Manchester United and Aston Villa have all been linked with the player, with Real Madrid reportedly open to his departure on loan in January. (LondonWorld)
However, Romano’s key revelation is that Endrick’s personal preference is a move to Olympique Lyonnais. He describes a “straight loan until June 2026” to Lyon as the player’s “absolute priority,” despite the interest from English clubs. (LondonWorld)
This twist means West Ham must either make a supremely compelling offer or quickly shift focus to alternative targets. The message from Romano is clear: West Ham must act, but they may not have the luxury of time or exclusivity on the young Brazilian.
What this means for West Ham’s strategy
- Speed & decisiveness: If West Ham want the striker they’ve prioritised, January is the window to act. Competing clubs are also alert.
- Budget and structure: With Fullkrug underperforming and Callum Wilson not preferred, the club must get smart on structure—loan vs permanent, add-ons, wages.
- Plan B readiness: With Endrick favouring Lyon, West Ham’s recruitment team should already be ready to pivot quickly to alternate names.
- Managerial backing: For Nuno Espírito Santo, bringing in a genuine striker could be the difference between survival fight and mid-table stability.
- Fan expectations: West Ham supporters will view this not as a luxury, but a necessity. Failure to deliver a recognised goal-scorer could increase pressure on the club hierarchy.
The broader transfer picture
This saga also highlights the shifting dynamics of the modern market: young players like Endrick can prioritise next-step moves that aren’t the Premier League, thereby complicating rival bids. Romano’s update shows that even if you’re top of the list, you’re not guaranteed the signature unless you align with the player’s own ambitions.
For West Ham, the season ahead is bifurcated: sign the striker and change the narrative versus fail to sign, and risk the downward slope. The “absolute priority” tag from Romano means this is no longer speculative—it’s action time.
In summary: West Ham have declared the striker position their top-transfer priority, and Romano’s confirmation adds credibility to their intent. But the prime target appears to prefer Lyon, meaning the clock is now ticking for West Ham’s recruitment team to either close the deal or pivot urgently. The January window will reveal whether they can deliver.
