Nuno Espírito Santo, who famously tapped into the Portuguese market during his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers by bringing in 16 players from his homeland, is once again turning his attention to Portugal. His concern is that West Ham lack adequate cover when Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf leave for the African Nations Cup.
With Ollie Scarles sidelined through injury, Kyle Walker-Peters remains the only senior option available, though academy prospects Ezra Mayers and Ryan Battrum are prepared to step up if required.
A number of reports from Portugal suggest West Ham scouts have been present at recent Porto fixtures to monitor a number of players believed to include Alberto Costa (22) and Martim Fernandes (19).
Nuno’s winter targets include many from Portugal, such as Tiago Gabriel
Costa joined Juventus from Vitória de Guimarães in January 2025 for €12.5m but returned to Portugal just six months later, signing for Porto in a €15m deal. This season he has made 21 appearances, including four starts in the FIFA Club World Cup for Juventus, and has already provided seven assists.
Fernandes has come up through the youth ranks making his debut in 2023.
Porto’s Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga is also been watched, with Nuno familiar with him from his time in the Saudi league in 2023 when Veiga played for Al-Ahli against Nuno’s side, Al- Ittihad.
Another suggested target is Porto striker, Samu Aghehowa yet we have been told this transfer is highly unlikely, given the fact that West Ham allegedly had a £52m offer rejected previously. The player has an £86m release clause and is seeking wages of £180k!
Also on the radar is Tiago Gabriel, a 20-year-old centre-back currently at Lecce. He has featured 13 times in Serie A, scoring once, and has earned four caps for Portugal’s Under-21s since making his debut in September 2025. Identified by Max Hahn’s recruitment team, Gabriel has also attracted interest from Brentford, who similarly employ a data-driven scouting model. His agent, CAA Base, notably also represents Kyle Walker-Peters. C&H previously reported West Ham’s interest, and sources confirm he is firmly on the club’s shortlist.
Lastly, in the goal keeper department despite Areolas resurgence, the club are open to moving on Mads Hermansen. Should the Danish keeper depart, Nuno is expected to push for the arrival of Jose Sa from Wolves who has recently lost his place to Sam Johnson. The 32 year old has been at Wolves since 2021, and is under contract until June 2027.
With limited funds available, much transfer activity will depend heavily on player sales, while the loan market is also expected to be explored. What remains certain is that the upcoming window will be hectic, though West Ham’s precarious league position poses a significant obstacle to their recruitment plans
Our scouts watch transfer targets via dozens of hours of video and in person, at matches.
They are fully assessed pre transfer, a medical is completed and a large sum of money changes hands.
They are sold to supporters as the next big thing. (Except the older short term transfers)
What happens to change a good prospect in to someone we’re desperate to get rid of 3 months later.
It’s the same player. Why are they shelved so quickly?
What are the club doing to them?
Signing Sá would be the only nonsensical part of all this. I’m liking the ambition from Nuno
I think your last statment is wrong matt in this day and age most players seem to be playing for money and not pride or medals.so i believe that if west ham offer the wages the players will sign irrispective of our league position.
I like that we are looking at young players and building for the future, our academy and players like Magassa, Fernandes, Diouf and Potts are showing the value of that energy.
We desperately need a physical imposing forward and a commanding centre back, we could really do with cover on the left wing too. Hopefully Scarles can stay fit while AWB and Diouf are away but he doesn’t offer much attacking threat.