West Ham dealt blow in January pursuit of ‘Baby Romelu Lukaku’

West Ham’s hopes of signing a new striker have suffered a setback, talkSPORT understands.

The Premier League strugglers had identified an attacking target ahead of the January transfer window.

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However, Nuno Espirito Santo looks set to miss out on the signing of Canada international Promise David.

The Union Saint-Gilloise forward has caught the eye of the Hammers in their search to replace Niclas Fullkrug.

David has scored 34 goals in 65 appearances since signing for the Belgian side last summer.

He previously enjoyed spells in Croatia, the USA and Malta before arriving from Estonian outfit Kalju.

The 24-year-old signed a new four-year deal with Union in the summer after helping them end their 90-year wait for a league title.

David now looks set to snub a move to the London Stadium when the transfer window reopens next month.

Broken Promise

He is reluctant to swap Champions League football for a Premier League relegation battle, talkSPORT understands.

As a result, the Hammers are set to go back to the drawing board with their striker targets.

West Ham are currently two points from safety in 18th after winning just three of their 15 league matches this term.

Meanwhile, David’s current side are top of the Belgian Pro League and on the cusp of the Champions League play-off places.

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They sit outside the top 24 in the league phase standings on goal difference ahead of matches against Bayern Munich and Atalanta next month.

Nuno is expected to target a centre forward in January with Fullkrug set to leave the club.

The German’s agent admitted last month that his move to east London has not worked out.

Since signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2024, he has scored just three goals in 29 appearances across all competitions.

West Ham’s striker woes

His exit would leave Callum Wilson and 21-year-old Callum Marshall as the only recognised senior strikers available to Nuno.

Wilson and Jarrod Bowen are tied on four league goals each as the Hammers’ top scorers so far this season.

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Meanwhile, they are currently on a four-match winless run following Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton.

The visitors, who host Aston Villa this weekend, were denied all three points by a stoppage time equaliser on the south coast.