Under newly appointed manager Nuno Espírito Santo, West Ham have adopted a familiar counter-attacking identity that emphasizes physicality, quick transitions, and defensive solidity—aligning with the club's recent squad build and fan expectations for a clear playing style. West Ham's attacking department currently features aging strikers, creating a need for youthful depth and another chance at a big, physical center-forward.
Mateo Pellegrino - Parma
It won’t be easy to win the race for Mateo Pellegrino, as teams like Nottingham Forest and Tottenham are reportedly making him their top target in January. Pellegrino, the 23-year-old Argentine striker at Parma, represents a strong potential addition due to his profile as a physical target man who excels in direct, counter-oriented systems. West Ham’s roster, built around players like Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville for width and speed, would benefit from a No. 9 who can act as a focal point for long balls and flick-ons—areas where Pellegrino rates highly.
At 6’4”, Pellegrino gives Nuno the type of striker he favors (see Chris Wood) and provides a large physical presence up front. Pellegrino hasn’t been a prolific scorer throughout his career but has scored 5 goals in 8 appearances across Serie A and Coppa Italia matches this season. On the downside, poor decision-making and a tendency to commit fouls might make it challenging for him to adapt to the Premier League, but Pellegrino has shown significant improvement each season.
The bidding will start at €15 million and could go as high as €25 million. This is an ideal price range for West Ham, as long as they avoid being used as leverage by Pellegrino’s agents.
Roberto Piccoli - Fiorentina
Continuing with the Chris Wood-type striker (Wood, Nuno’s striker last season at Nottingham Forest, had a career year with 20 goals), Piccoli is a younger version of Wood. Both stand at 6’3” and are traditional center-forwards who excel as a focal point in attack. Piccoli’s strengths lie in hold-up play, aerial duels, and poacher-like instincts, making him effective in a system that emphasizes crosses and set pieces—areas where West Ham have historically thrived (e.g., Bowen’s delivery from the right).
This might need to be a loan move, as Fiorentina spent €25 million to secure his rights. West Ham reportedly bid for the player over the summer, though the amount offered is unknown. With Moises Kean getting the bulk of the starts and Piccoli eager for playing time to earn a national team call-up, Fiorentina might be open to loan offers.
Francesco “Pio” Esposito - Inter Milan
Over the summer, West Ham focused on getting younger, bringing in three players aged 20, 21, and 22, respectively: Mateus Fernandes (21), Soungoutou Magassa (22), and El Hadji Malick Diouf (20). All three now start for the Hammers. This effort signals that West Ham acknowledges they are in the midst of a rebuild and aren’t afraid to take chances on young talent. While 20-year-old Callum Marshall waits for his opportunity, there is still a need to bolster the striker position. Esposito is one of Italy’s most promising young strikers, having recently scored his first international goal against Estonia in World Cup qualifiers.
He has shown elite off-the-ball runs and composure in the box. His poacher instincts make him deadly in transition-heavy systems. With Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram ahead of him on the depth chart, Esposito may be available for a loan or a purchase at around €30 million. West Ham won’t be the only Premier League club interested; it’s been reported that Manchester United already had a bid rejected. Esposito is also physically imposing, standing at 6’4”.
His Serie B goals and U21 form last season suggest he can handle the step up, similar to Gianluca Scamacca’s (flawed) 2022 move from Sassuolo to West Ham. Unlike Niclas Füllkrug (31, declining), Esposito offers longevity.