A three-way transfer scramble has broken out in the final hours of the window — and West Ham are refusing to let Hull City walk away with their man uncontested

The transfer window is about to slam shut, and West Ham United have decided to go down swinging.

According to reports, the Hammers are launching a last-gasp raid to hijack Hull City’s move for Stuttgart right-back Josha Vagnoman — a deal that looked all but settled just hours ago.

A Deal That Wasn’t as Done as It Looked

Nuno Espirito Santo is determined to squeeze one more piece of business through the door before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline, and West Ham’s pursuit of Vagnoman comes hot on the heels of Monday’s arrival of Edvin Austbo from Viking.

So far this summer, West Ham have added just one recognised defender — Joel Veltman — leaving Nuno with a clear gap to fill before the window closes for good.

The Twist That’s Opened the Door

Trusted Sky Sports Germany reporter Dennis Bayer confirmed via X on Monday that West Ham are actively working on a deal for Vagnoman, despite Hull City reportedly having already struck a transfer agreement with Stuttgart.

The crucial detail? No personal terms have been agreed between Vagnoman and Hull. That gap — between a club-to-club agreement and an actual signed player — is exactly the kind of opening West Ham are hoping to exploit in the closing hours of the window.

Bayer’s post also revealed West Ham aren’t the only ones circling. Nottingham Forest are reportedly making their own attempt to lure Vagnoman away from both Hull and West Ham, turning this into a genuine three-way scramble as the clock winds down.

Why Vagnoman Would Be a Serious Coup

So what exactly are these three clubs fighting over?

Since joining Stuttgart from Hamburg in the summer of 2022, Vagnoman has racked up 126 competitive appearances, gaining experience in both of Germany’s top two divisions along the way. He’s also a full Germany international, with two senior caps to his name.

But his biggest asset isn’t just his defending — it’s his versatility. Transfermarkt data shows Vagnoman has featured in every position down the flanks, as well as central defence, during his time in Stuttgart. That kind of positional flexibility makes him a genuine Swiss Army knife for any manager trying to navigate a gruelling 38-game season with a slim squad.

For West Ham, a player who can slot in at right-back, left-back, wing-back, or central defence represents exactly the kind of value signing clubs chase in the dying hours of deadline day.

The Countdown Is On

With Hull’s agreement with Stuttgart still missing a crucial signature from the player himself, and Forest also lurking in the background, West Ham’s hijack attempt is far from a long shot.

The next few hours could determine whether Nuno Espirito Santo pulls off one of deadline day’s most dramatic late twists — snatching a versatile, experienced international away from a division rival before the window shuts for good.

Want a live “Deadline Day Tracker” version of this piece that can be updated as the Vagnoman saga develops?