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West Ham Cresswell Deal Unlikely as Nuno Promises More Transfers

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West Ham will continue to make signings during this transfer window, according to manager Nuno Espírito Santo.

Yesterday, the Hammers boss praised the club hierarchy following the arrivals of Valentín Castellanos and Pablo Felipe Pereira de Jesus, admitting further business is required:

“The club is working. We are working really, really hard to operate in this transfer window.
We have two bodies in, but we still need more.”

It followed a busy day behind the scenes at West Ham, with figures inside the club keen to stress that Nuno has been backed with players he specifically asked for. That narrative was also mirrored on the club’s official website, which went out of its way to clarify that both new strikers were manager picks.

One Target Fades as Another Question Grows

That context makes yesterday’s claim — that West Ham have not even initiated talks for Charlie Cresswell of Toulouse — rather more believable. At this stage, there is so much noise around transfers that separating fact from fiction is difficult, but the two stories do match up.

Cresswell is unlikely to join Nuno’s West Ham defence according to reports

Cresswell is widely regarded as a Max Hahn-driven option, and if it is true that Espírito Santo is now firmly running the transfer agenda, then the England Under-21 defender may simply not fit the manager’s plans. It is far more likely that Nuno, alongside his agent Jorge Mendes, has alternative targets in mind.

There is also the unavoidable question of motivation. Why would one of the most highly rated young central defenders in Europe choose to join a club staring relegation squarely in the face?

Ultimately, the name may not matter — only the position. A central defender needs to arrive, and quickly. Because whether the solution is Cresswell or someone else entirely, it has become painfully clear that Max Kilman cannot continue to be selected in this West Ham side.

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Kris Gonzo (commonly known to the West Ham community as Gonzo) is the co-founder of Hammers Chat (established 2014) and the lead video content creator and columnist for Claret and Hugh.

With over a decade of professional sports media experience, he is a frequent West Ham United analyst and contributor for Sky Sports News, BBC Football Focus, and BBC Radio 5 Live. He previously served as an official video and content creator for West Ham United FC during the club's tenure at Upton Park and featured in the official documentary commemorating the historic final game at the Boleyn Ground.

A lifelong Hammer since the legendary 10-0 victory over Bury, when he isn't providing daily match analysis on the Hammers Chat YouTube Channel or broadcasting on X (@GONZObignose), he can be found walking his dog and restoring classic pinball machines.

7 comments

  • Sue says:

    All I say is if he wants a alternative he needs to get one in now.The defence is a massive issue and we should have got a least 1 player in by now. I personally think we have enough midfield players with the youth coming through as well.We have to slowly ease Themis to the first team other wise will will see them move on looking for first team action.You only need to look at other clubs,they are all coming through.Put a few on the bench each game
    I am hoping tonight i can have a big lift with a win from the boys

  • MJ says:

    So we ignore the fella Max Hahn whose sole reason to be employed by the club is to find the best suited players for the team in favour of using the same method of transfers that landed us a £40m Max Kilman. Ignoring the fact Nuno might not even be here in a couple of weeks if we lose to Forest, that’s got to be a bad move. Then again Sullivan is in charge of transfers so what do we expect

  • Kenny Irons says:

    Central Defender ( one who can head & tackle ! ) AND an experienced midfielder who is a leader and stirs things up a bit, and can be a possible captain. We’re far too quiet & passive – shame we didn’t get Xhaka, he’s exactly what we need right now.
    Need some fire in our bellies, at the moment we have Ice Cubes !

    • Rob says:

      Hi Kenny if we can all see this then why couldn’t the last two managers and Nuno now? Come to think of it why can’t Sulivan see it.?

  • Rob says:

    Gonzo, we don’t want just anyone, we need a good centre back who is a leader in that he shouts and points to what should be happening. We need someone who will have a resale value and not a huge injury record, so if the worst happens we get decent money for the player. Cresswell seems to fit this profile so you have to ask why not? Maybe suggested by Sulivan and Nuno begin bloody minded?

    • Andy Matthews says:

      Hello Rob, I agree with you mate. Cresswell makes more sense than any other in my opinion

      • Jeeps says:

        Not many available that fit that bill.
        How Cresswell don’t fit Nuno’s preferences is not understandable.
        Maybe not Sullivan’s, cost?

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