West Ham United could conceivably have an entirely new spine by the time the January transfer window comes to an end.

Nuno Espirito Santo is trading up a 33-year-old Callum Wilson for his new-look £44 million frontline of Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos.

Charlie Cresswell would replace Max Kilman if West Ham United can fight off Premier League competition for the towering Toulouse centre-back, and not a moment too soon. A goalkeeper to replace Alphonse Areola is also on the cards, even if Al-Nassr glovesman Bento has opted for Genoa rather than East London.

There may even be space in the budget for an exciting young midfielder.

What is your VIEW on West Ham targeting Alpha Toure? 💰

Are midfield signings needed?

West Ham like Tochukwu Nnadi of Zulte Waregem. Ultra-aggressive and a ball-winner of fierce potential, Nnadi idolises N’Golo Kante and Moises Caicedo, and could reportedly be available for as little as £3.5 million.

L’Equipe claim that West Ham made a £6 million bid for Alpha Toure of Metz, too. Still only 19, Toure is another El Hadji Malick Diouf-type of target for a club who belatedly seem to be pursuing a more modernised approach to recruitment.

Metz starlet Alpha Toure is yet to hear from West Ham United

Sadio Mane, Robert Pires, Franck Ribery, Pape Sarr, Miralem Pjanic and more emerged from one of the best youth-development sides in European football, and former Senegal Under-17 ace Toure looks well-placed to follow in their footsteps.

According to L’Equipe, Metz have rejected West Ham’s opening bid.

With fellow teenager Brian Madjo on his way to Aston Villa for a reported £10.4 million, Les Grenats may be in no rush to let another of their prized talents leave this month.

Speaking to Republicain Lorrain, meanwhile, Toure insists that any interest from the Hammers is yet to reach him.

“Personally, I haven’t seen any information circulating,” Toure said. “After that, I’m focused on my football. I’m at Metz and I’m concentrating on the club and the Coupe de France.

“The rest is up to my agent to handle.”

A left-footed, versatile operator, Toure has started seven Ligue 1 matches this season while making a further ten appearances off the bench. He has even featured as a left-back at times, his ability in possession giving him those ‘press resistant’ qualities managers tend to look for these days in deep-lying midfielders and forward-thinking full-backs.

Guido Rodriguez and James Ward-Prowse can leave the Hammers

Nuno admits these four could all be leaving West Ham…

How do you feel about what could be a BIG January overhaul?

Should West Ham succeed in reaching an agreement with either Toure or Nnadi, a January addition would likely speed up Guido Rodriguez’s departure from the London Stadium. Juventus are interested in the Argentina international.

“Lots of you are asking us about Guido Rodriguez,” Fabrizio Romano  says. “Right now, we don’t see Juventus closing in on Guido Rodriguez today. We understand that Guido Rodriguez is, let’s say, a backup for Juve.

“[But] it is an extremely simple, extremely quick deal. He’s a player who isn’t part of West Ham’s plans, a player who has had very limited impact in England, so could be a classic January opportunity that is easy both financially and in terms of time.

“So, if Juve want to do the Guido Rodriguez deal, they can do it in five minutes. They don’t need to lock him down or book him.”

Nuno confirms James Ward-Prowse can leave as well, alongside Callum Wilson and potentially Mads Hermansen.

“What I say is that, eventually, there are players that have to leave,” Nuno said on Friday. “We are being really direct and honest for them to look at the best options.

“It’s clear the situation of James. It’s been clear since some time ago. He’s not among the options and it’s up to him to find the best solution for his future.

“We have honest conversations with all the players.”