West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo has delivered a reassuring yet urgent update regarding the club’s frantic final days in the transfer market, insisting that reinforcements are on the way before Tuesday’s deadline. As the Hammers look to finalize a desperately needed squad overhaul, an unexpected and intriguing name has emerged on their radar: veteran Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood.
Nuno Promises Deadline-Day Action
Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of their upcoming fixture against Watford, Nuno addressed mounting supporter anxiety surrounding the club’s sluggish summer business. Following a wave of high-profile departures—including James Ward-Prowse and El Hadji Malick Diouf, with potential exits still looming for players like Edson Alvarez and Jean-Clair Todibo—the squad has looked visibly short on depth and balance.
Reports suggest that West Ham ideally want to secure up to five new signings before the window slams shut to cope with the grueling demands of a promotion race. Addressing these concerns, Nuno emphasized that sporting director Nils Koppen and the recruitment team are working tirelessly behind the scenes.
”We have a transfer window that is open, and the club is working very hard to bring in what we believe we need to better balance our squad,” Nuno stated. “We need to make sure that after September 1 we are ready to face all the difficulties that we’re going to face throughout the season. The priority of the club is to try and balance the squad properly.”
The Chris Wood Link: A Shock Reunion?
Amid the search for late-window additions, a sensational report from Claret and Hugh has linked West Ham with a shock move for Nottingham Forest target man Chris Wood.
The potential move has been sparked by Forest’s big-money arrival of Liam Delap at the City Ground, which could cast uncertainty over Wood’s regular playing time under his former boss. Wood, who previously enjoyed a stellar working relationship with Nuno at Forest—nearly firing them into the Champions League—would represent a massive statement signing.
While the prospect of signing a player who turns 35 this season might divide opinion among the fanbase, Wood represents as close to a guarantee of 20-plus goals in the second tier as money can buy. He boasts extensive Premier League and Championship experience and knows Nuno’s tactical demands inside out, significantly reducing any adaptation risk.
What Would Wood Bring to the London Stadium?
West Ham’s tactical approach under Nuno has occasionally drawn criticism for overly cautious, sideways-passing sequences—most notably during a frustrating home defeat to Charlton. However, analysts point out that Nuno’s hands have largely been tied by a lack of personnel suited to mixing up the play and going direct.
Current attacking options like Joel Piroe and Taty Castellanos prefer to drop deep into the build-up phase. Wood, by contrast, is an old-fashioned, ultra-physical penalty-box predator. He provides exceptional aerial dominance, terrifying center-backs with his physical presence, and acts as a reliable focal point when a team needs a more direct route forward.
Though Wood would not be a long-term developmental project, his proven goalscoring instinct, unmatched aerial threat, and familiarity with Nuno’s system make him an enticing short-term option. For a West Ham side desperate for physicality, experience, and tactical flexibility, a deadline-day swoop for the New Zealand international could be the missing puzzle piece.
With the clock ticking down toward Tuesday’s 11 PM deadline, Nuno’s clear message is that the Hammers are far from finished. Whether a deal for Wood materializes or other targets emerge, the coming days will make or break West Ham’s ambitions for the remainder of the campaign.
