Nuno Espirito Santo wants a new striker for West Ham. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
West Ham are set to sign a new striker in January, with Niklas Furkruk almost certain to leave the London Stadium. Nuno Espirito Santo will be involved in the search for a replacement, and he has communicated his preferred targets to the club’s sporting department.
Striker is an area where West Ham have had a lot of problems in recent years, so finding a suitable No. 9 in 2026 will be highly desired. Short-term and long-term solutions are ideal, and Nuno has found someone who fits the bill.
West Ham set their sights on Marcos Leonardo transfer
According to Hammers News (via FootballFanCast), West Ham have their sights set on Marcos Leonardo. The 22-year-old has been in great form since joining Al Hilal in the summer of 2024 and is liked by Nuno, who sees him as the ideal player to solve the Hammers’ striker problem.
However, it will not be easy for West Ham to sign players. There are also reports that Al Hilal recently rejected an opening offer worth £20 million. The Saudi Professional League is determined to keep the Brazilian in his place, but a move to the Premier League could pique his curiosity.
Should West Ham go all-in on signing Marcos Leonardo?
Leonardo has been one of Saudi Arabia’s best strikers since joining Al Hilal and would be an exciting signing for West Ham, although there are doubts about the level of football in the Middle East.
Arsenal were considering a move for Leonardo before moving to Al Hilal, which confirms his quality. Given that he is 22 years old, he would also be a long-term solution, but given their current transfer stance it may be difficult for West Ham to sign the player at this time.
