Nuno Espirito Santo takes first steps towards reunion with ex-Wolves star

West Ham United have made an initial approach for Fulham attacker Adama Traore, talkSPORT understands.

The move is driven by manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who had tried to bring Traore to Nottingham Forest over the summer.

AFP

Traore’s Fulham contract is due to expire this summer and no progress has been made on fresh terms to date.

Traore is open to West Ham but has not ruled out taking his pick of clubs as a free agent either.

Saudi side Al-Ahli and Eintracht Frankfurt have also explored a move.

The 29-year-old has made 16 appearances for Fulham this term, 12 of which have come in the Premier League.

However, Traore has started only one of those, which was a 2-1 loss away to Newcastle on October 25.

He has also registered just one assist.

Traore arrived at Fulham in August 2023 on a free transfer after five years at Wolves.

The winger has gone on to make 75 appearances for the Cottagers, scoring four goals and contributing 13 assists.

Should Traore join the Hammers, it would mark a reunion between he and Nuno.

The pair worked together at Wolves, with Traore playing 131 times under the Portuguese boss.

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Nuno attempted to rekindle the relationship this summer when in charge of Forest.

However, the deal was blocked by Forest’s Head of Global Football Edu.

The decision to prevent Traore’s move to the City Ground was understood to be one of several reasons behind Nuno’s acrimonious departure from Forest.

Nuno has since joined West Ham, where he has two wins from 12 league fixtures.

The 51-year-old endured a rough start to life in east London, losing three of his first four matches.

However, wins over Newcastle and Burnley in early November stopped the rot.

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Nuno’s side, though, are now winless in their last six and sit 18th on 13 points, five away from safety.

The potential addition of Traore would add some much-needed firepower for the Hammers given they are set to lose Niclas Fullkrug on loan to AC Milan for the remainder of the season.

As part of the deal, Milan will have the option to purchase Fullkrug at the end of the season, with the fee understood to be in excess of £10million.