West Ham are continuing the pursuit to improve the squad and back Nuno this January, with ExWHUEmployee providing an update.

In what has been a dark and very worrying period for our beloved club, with the threat of relegation beginning to feel more inevitable than avoidable, Ex has advised that there is a desire to try and improve the squad further in the hope we can turn this dire situation around.

Reporting on The West Ham Way Patreon, our insider has reported that the club are now focussing on the wing, defence and possibly a new goalkeeper.

“West Ham have been identifying further targets to go for this window, and it looks like the positions of focus are on the wing, in defence, and a possible keeper option,” stated Ex.

“The manager is said to be very involved in the discussions, which does indicate that he has some kind of future at the club, but I guess results could change this.

“We know that one player Nuno wishes for is Adama Traoré from Fulham. The player came onto the pitch last night for the last 10 minutes of Fulham’s win over Chelsea, but he is very much still a target alongside other options. Chelsea player Raheem Sterling was again not involved in the squad for Chelsea, with both Fulham and West Ham said to hold an interest.

“West Ham and Genoa are among the clubs keen on signing Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento Matheus in the January transfer window, and we know that a loan offer was submitted. At the moment of writing this, it seemed that the Brazilian favoured a move to Italy as they were clearer on their first-team expectations.

“Other keepers on loan are also being considered. It was thought we enquired about James Trafford from Manchester City, but they are reluctant to release the player but did offer in return the possibility of Stefan Ortega. His contract is up at the end of the season, which could mean he and the club favour a permanent move elsewhere. Celtic are said to be one of the front runners.

“Charlie Cresswell is a target that has been discussed quite a lot at the club, but his valuation seems to have put Nuno off signing him, and he seems to have preferred choices, although the former Leeds defender hasn’t fully been ruled out. Other clubs are also looking at him as a potential signing too.

“It is thought that Nuno and his trusted transfer sidekick, Jorge Mendes, may have other plans. A couple of defenders that they like the look of are: Bright Arrey-Mbi of Braga in Portugal.

“The German Under-21 international counts as a homegrown player and speaks the language because he moved to England at the age of 11 and played for Norwich and Chelsea’s academy before moving to Bayern Munich.

“Another potential option is Etienne Kinkoue, who currently plays for Le Havre in France, whose contract expires at the end of the season and could be available at a good price. Other targets have been discussed today, and we will look to bring you information on those when we have it.

“We are also continuing to speak to domestic clubs about potential loan signings.

“It appears that Guido Rodriguez is close to joining Juventus on loan, and the deal could be concluded in the coming days, although the Italian giants are said to be evaluating alternative targets to him.”

Ex will be providing an update on the state of play later today on Patreon.