As West Ham enter the final month of fixtures for 2025, the Hammers find themselves 18th in the table but eager to build on a stronger November showing. Nuno Espírito Santo continues to stamp his authority on the squad, gaining a clear picture of his needs, wants, and surpluses. With the January transfer window fast approaching, several players could be on the move—some sold, others loaned out for minutes, and a few, like Niclas Füllkrug and James Ward-Prowse, actively looking for their exit.
Niclas Füllkrug
From the moment Niclas Füllkrug arrived at the London Stadium in August 2024, the transfer felt doomed. Fans were vocal in their disapproval when rumours first surfaced: an older striker, short on pace, with a lengthy injury history and a hefty price tag for his age and Bundesliga output. West Ham still paid £21.1 million plus up to £3.4 million in add-ons. After 27 appearances, two lengthy injury layoffs, and just three goals across all competitions, the move has been a clear failure.
Recent reports directly from Füllkrug’s agent, Thorsten Wirth, confirm the player is deeply frustrated in East London. Wirth has stated that the transfer has not worked and that parting ways in January would benefit both parties. Fabrizio Romano has corroborated this, naming the Bundesliga and Serie A as the most likely destinations. Despite his struggles, Füllkrug retains value as a German international whose physical, hold-up style suits slower-paced leagues.
West Ham insider ExWHUEmployee revealed on Friday, November 21, that the club is even open to a player-swap and has been actively trying to persuade clubs to accept such a deal. In his podcast on November 24, he added that Lazio, Roma, and AC Milan have all shown concrete interest. One intriguing possibility is a straight swap with Milan’s striker Santiago Giménez—a player West Ham have tracked for several windows. Whatever happens, the big German’s disappointing chapter in East London looks set to end without ever truly getting started.
James Ward-Prowse
Arriving under David Moyes in summer 2023, James Ward-Prowse enjoyed an excellent debut season (7 goals, 11 assists). Under Julen Lopetegui and later Graham Potter, however, that form collapsed. Now, two seasons in, he appears one of the squad’s weakest links. Since Nuno took charge, Ward-Prowse has lost his place entirely and is widely expected to leave in January.
He worked briefly under Nuno on loan at Nottingham Forest last season before being quickly dropped and returned early. History now repeats itself. With midfield reinforcements likely in January, he has become surplus to requirements. West Ham will never recover the full £30 million paid, but even half would free up significant wages and squad space. Interest has been confirmed from Southampton (his boyhood club), Everton (where he thrived under former Hammers boss David Moyes), Burnley, and Leeds (per ExWHUEmployee). Any of those moves could help him rediscover his best form.
Guido Rodriguez
Since arriving on a free transfer, Guido Rodríguez has failed to adapt. Lacking pace and often overly aggressive, his style has not suited the Premier League. He hasn’t featured since West Ham’s 2-0 home defeat to Burnley on 20 October and has been overtaken by Freddie Potts and Ibrahim Magassa. A signing once hailed as a coup has become a clear disappointment.
Interest from Saudi Arabia and Mexico surfaced in the summer but came to nothing. As January nears, ExWHUEmployee reports fresh enquiries from Real Betis, Sevilla, Argentina, and Mexico. A return to Club América—where he previously excelled—could make sense at this stage of his career. A January exit looks almost certain.
Mads Hermansen
The Danish goalkeeper’s West Ham career has been nothing short of disastrous: eight goals conceded in his only two starts (three saveable ones against Sunderland, five against Chelsea). He hasn’t played since the Chelsea debacle. According to Mark Carlaw, of The West Ham Way, the club is now open to offers to recoup as much as possible of the £15.5 million plus £2 million add-ons paid in the summer. A quick sale or loan would suit all parties, especially with Alphonse Areola in form and academy prospect Finn Herrick rising. At 24, Hermansen remains young for a goalkeeper and could still fulfil his potential—just not at West Ham. Look out for a potential move to Serie A sides Lazio or Fiorentina, as reported by Ex-WHUEmployee.
Andy Irving
Signed from SK Austria Klagenfurt in 2023 primarily to build ties with the Austrian club, Irving was immediately loaned back and only joined properly the following season. He has since made almost no impact. With both the regime that signed him and the one that occasionally played him now gone, his time in claret and blue is over. Wrexham had a bid accepted last summer only for the move to collapse over wages. Since Nuno’s arrival, Irving has played just 86 minutes. ExWHUEmployee says Wrexham still have interest along with Cardiff, Celtic, and Blackburn. A drop down in league levels would finally give him the regular football he needs.
Luis Guilherme
The 21-year-old Brazilian has shown flashes of talent but has largely struggled with consistency and minutes. His start against Bournemouth (standing in for the injured Crysencio Summerville) was particularly poor: dispossessed four times, 10 passes completed, hauled off at half-time with a 5.9 rating—the lowest in the squad.
The club could look to cut their losses and recoup on the roughly £25 million they spent to get him, or send him out on loan and hope he improves. The worry with sending him out on loan is that if he doesn't perform well, the club will lose more money on any potential sale of him in the future. While selling him now could prove to be the most ethical way of recouping any money, since he is still considered a long term project with great potential. There was interest in him last January from Botafogo and other Brazillian teams, according to ESPN Brazil. ExWHUEmployee reported around the same time that Sporting CP, Porto and Feynerwood were also interested in the Brazillian player. These clubs could potentially look to come in for him in the January window. Another place Guilherme could potentially end up is in Saudi, which has been attracting a lot of young and old talent alike, offering large wages. But with Summerville's recent lingering injury, the club may opt to hold on to him a while longer and see what happens.
Mohamadou Kante
Since stepping up from the U21s in summer 2025, the versatile midfielder has impressed at youth level (3 goals, 3 assists). Another Steidten signing (originally from Paris FC in 2024), he was loaned back before returning. Breaking into a midfield led by Potts, Edson Álvarez, and Lucas Paquetá remains unlikely this season.
The club have signed him to a contract extension running through 2031, so the club have a long term commitment and see potential in the player. But they will want him to be getting 5 months of consistent playing time, likely on loan in the championship where he can continue to play and improve. Portsmouth could be one possiblity, where Freddie Potts was on loan last year and had great success as a midfielder, helping him to find the confidence and consistency needed to play in the Premier League. It's likely the club will be selective in deciding the loan options for Kante, after failed loans with Orford this year and Hegyi last year, they will want they player to feature often, as his new extension implies that he is part of the long term plan at the club.
Callum Marshall
During pre-season, the Hammers fans were buzzing to begin seeing more of Marshall. After his goal against Grasshopper Club Zürich and loan performance at Huddersfield Town in League One, where he had 10 goals, 4 assists and was named Huddsfield Town Player of the Year. But 5 months later he has only played 58 minutes, coming on twice as a substitute for the Hammers. The player seems to be about a year away from being ready to feature for the first team, and will be needing to play as consistently as possible across the next 5 months to improve. This means a loan could be the best option for everyone, although the club keeps saying they want to keep him. As January get's closer and the club is linked with more strikers on the transfer market, it's hard to determine if Marshall will stay or go out on loan as other factors come into play.
West Ham's great relationship with Portsmouth means they are one to look for in terms of loan options for Marshall. As they battle relegation, a striker may be just what they need, as well as a great option for Marshall to get as much playing time as possible. Another possible destination could be Wycombe Wanderers, who are rumored to want him. But with Fullkrug highly likely to leave in January, the only likely way Marshall leaves on loan is if the club brings in another forward. Which seems probable, as Nuno has made signing a forward his priority for the January window.
George Earthy
Another highly rated academy product, Earthy dominated on loan at Bristol City last season, winning their Player of the Year award. Injuries, however, have repeatedly stalled his progress. He barely had a pre-season and is yet to play a minute this term. Regular football is now critical. A return to Bristol City would be the most natural fit. Portsmouth is another viable option. The only scenario in which he stays is if Nuno signs a wide forward (e.g., Adama Traoré) and loans out Luis Guilherme—Earthy could then provide versatile cover. Otherwise, a January loan is the best route back to form.