Nuno Captures Another Target

After Guido Rodríguez sealed a move back to Spain and signed for La Liga outfit Valencia CF on Monday, it has been day of movement at West Ham United today. After it was announced this morning that Brighton and Hove Albion had recalled defender Igor Julio from his season-long loan spell, the East London club then confirmed the capture of winger Adama Traoré from fellow Premier League side Fulham for a fee of £1m with add-ons. He has put pen to paper on a deal until the end of the current campaign with an option for a further year.

Hammers Head-Coach Nuno Espírito Santo has been monitoring the Spaniard’s situation since being given the job in Stratford and from the word go, was keen to rekindle their relationship with the pair having spent three seasons working together at Wolverhampton Wanderers between 2018 and 2021.

Traoré has played against West Ham throughout his long career in England and will now add strength and speed to their team, as they battle for top-flight survival.

When Valentín Castellanos joined the club earlier this month, he was thrown straight into the matchday squad for the crucial encounter with fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest a day later. If Espírito Santo sees fit to involve Traoré in the club’s next game on Saturday evening, then having just left West London, the latest addition to the Irons squad will be back there, as the team look to build on their current momentum when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the first of consecutive away games.

With the window closing on Monday, there seems certain to be further movement both in and out of Stratford and if any more incomings are finalised, then they, along with Traoré will have to wait for their home debut as the team don’t play there until 10 February, when a huge test awaits them under the lights against an improving Manchester United side.