West Ham United have been linked with a sensational but hugely controversial move for a player many agree has world-class ability.
The rumoured January transfer window plan will undoubtedly stir fervent debate among Hammers fans, with some seeing it as a necessary evil given the club’s dire situation while for many others it will be a bridge too far.
Nuno Espirito Santo now knows he faces a seriously difficult task to keep West Ham in the Premier League.
It was obvious from the first game of the season – 3-0 defeat at newly-promoted Sunderland – that West Ham were going to struggle.
Another six defeats from the eight league games since have cemented that the Hammers are genuine relegation candidates.
Goals win games and West Ham need at least another 10 victories
Football is over-complicated at times.
Breaking it down, West Ham simply concede far too many goals and struggle to score at the other end.
There are so many problems to fix but goals win games and the Hammers must try to find at least another nine or 10 wins to have any hope of survival.
Given the abysmal start to the campaign, West Ham will likely struggle to attract top talent in January.
Nuno has already identified that he needs a new striker and wants a younger, pacy forward so he can play on the break.
They say desperate times call for desperate measures and make no mistake, West Ham are desperate.
Just how desperate has become clear with news leaking of their plans to sign a forward in January.
Because West Ham have been linked with a hugely controversial move for a star with world class talent.
According to Goal and originally teamTALK as well as other transfer insiders, the Hammers have made enquiries about bringing ex Man United prodigy Mason Greenwood back to the Premier League.
Greenwood’s career has seen a revival following a loan spell in Spain and a permanent move to Marseille.
West Ham linked with hugely controversial move for Greenwood
Labelled a world class young talent during his emergence at Old Trafford, Man United elected to move Greenwood on due to serious allegations off the field.
Greenwood faced charges of attempted rape and assault but they were dropped in February 2023 and he joined Getafe before a move to Marseille.
The mere mention of Greenwood’s name sparks heated debate among football fans.
Some feel he should be exiled from the game. Others argue if jobs exist for the ‘criminal class’ then why should Greenwood be denied the chance to continue to work.
Whatever one’s stance, it seems the forward’s past is not putting off West Ham – or London rivals Tottenham Hotspur for that matter.
Greenwood already has eight goals this season, that’s more than West Ham’s entire team combined.
The reports claim that West Ham see him as a potential game-changer and are so desperate for new additions they may risk a potential public backlash by trying to sign the 24-year-old.
Goal claims the Hammers and Spurs are currently wrestling with the challenge of public perception and also convincing Greenwood to come back to England.
There is absolutely no doubt Greenwood is a top quality football player.
Signing top quality characters is just as important for West Ham with the position the club is in.
Hammers and Spurs facing dilemma in battle for Greenwood
It remains to be seen whether David Sullivan and co push ahead with the move given they are already hugely unpopular in east London.
A penny for the thoughts of West Ham legend and sporting director Mark Noble too.
Because Greenwood once famously trolled Noble after starring in a Man United win over the Hammers.
If Tottenham are serious, though, it could take the matter out of West Ham’s hands.
Because Greenwood is said to be keen to play in the Champions League if he does leave Marseille.
Missing out to Tottenham may turn out to be a blessing for West Ham, though.
Not only because of the optics of the move but because it could make the Hammers signing a Spurs star more likely.
Because West Ham have a second chance at signing a Spurs star who left Sullivan ‘gutted’ last summer following talks with his family about a move to the London Stadium.
