West Ham are now reportedly ready to back new manager Nuno Espírito Santo by making a January bid to sign one former Chelsea forward, with David Sullivan and the Hammers board showing full faith in their new tactician.
Nuno takes charge of first West Ham game after signing three-year deal
Despite previous reports that Sullivan was keen to re-hire Slaven Bilic on a short-term contract until the end of the season (Pete O’Rourke), West Ham ended up committing to Nuno.
As per talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, vice-chairman Karren Brady was key in driving the move for West Ham’s new manager, and the Baroness did such a good job that the east Londoners agreed to hand him a long-term three-year deal.
Nuno was demanding significant wages to join West Ham too (Sport Boom), but they managed to navigate the finances of a deal to swiftly secure a replacement for Graham Potter just hours after they announced his departure.
Nuno took training that same day and was in the dugout for his first West Ham game on Monday night, wasting no time in stamping his authority by dropping midfielder James Ward-Prowse from the matchday squad.
The 51-year-old watched on as his side displayed grit against David Moyes’ Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, coming back from 1-0 down to secure a 1-1 draw courtesy of Jarrod Bowen’s expertly-taken equaliser.
West Ham arguably looked far more robust defensively in comparison to Potter’s final few games in charge — even if Konstantinos Movraponas didn’t cover himself in glory for Everton’s opener — with centre-back Max Kilman and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola ending the 90 minutes as their joint-best performers according to WhoScored.
Michael Keane
8.0
Max Kilman
7.3
Alphonse Areola
7.3
Jarrod Bowen
7.3
James Garner
7.1
via WhoScored
After Nuno transformed former club Nottingham Forest from relegation candidates to a European side, West Ham officials are now hoping that he can replicate those same heroics at the London Stadium.
Their three-year deal for the manager is a clear indicator that West Ham are serious about Nuno, and according to reports from Spain, the club are prepared to support him in January.
West Ham ready to back Nuno with £43m bid for Christian Pulisic
Indeed, one Spanish media source reports that West Ham now hold a serious interest in AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic.
The USA international has started 2025/2026 in fine form, scoring six goals and bagging a further two assists in all competitions, and put in a match-winning display as Milan beat Serie A champions Napoli 2-1 on Sunday.
Pulisic can play out wide, as a second striker and at centre-forward, adding to the appeal of his potential arrival back in London.
West Ham are in dire need of a proven goalscorer who can provide Nuno with a quality alternative to injury-prone duo Niclas Füllkrug and Callum Wilson. Pulisic would be a stellar option in that regard, especially considering his Premier League experience.
It is believed that West Ham are prepared to bid up to £43 million for Pulisic in January, with the player’s contract expiring in 2027.
However, the Rossoneri are confident they can convince Pulisic to commit his future at the San Siro, and it’s made all the more possible by their excellent start to the season.
If Milan do continue in this fashion, it will be difficult to convince Pulisic to up sticks and swap a potential title race to join West Ham, with both sides in very different scenarios right now.
That being said, the 27-year-old would be an absolute coup, not to mention a serious statement of intent. Pulisic also racked up 17 goals and 12 assists in all competitions last season, including strikes against the likes of Inter Milan and Liverpool.