West Ham United and Leeds United were both deeply entrenched in a relegation battle a couple of months ago.
However, West Ham’s situation has got bleaker since then, while Leeds have gone from strength to strength.
As a result, it is the Hammers who desperately need new signings in the January transfer window, while Leeds look pretty well set.
Nuno Espirito Santo has a lot of work to do in January, if he is to guide his side away from relegation trouble during the second half of the season.
How can Nuno FIX the potential absences of Todibo and Paqueta?
Pablo and Castellanos in? Earthy at 10? A start for Mayers?
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All is not well at West Ham right now but it seems like Nuno will be given a little while longer yet to save his job.
The key to the Hammers’ hopes of avoiding the drop will be to add some real quality to their ranks this winter.
And Leeds will be watching one of West Ham’s transfer pursuits very closely indeed.
Leeds desperate for West Ham to complete January window deal
The Hammers are very active in the market right now.
A deal for Brazilian striker Pablo Felipe was completed a few days ago while Valentin Castellanos quickly followed his fellow South American through the door.
However, despite all of the links with attacking players, it could be argued that the signing of a new central defender will actually be the most important thing for West Ham this month.
The good news is that there is one very accomplished centre-back on the Hammers’ radar.
Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images
West Ham want to sign Cresswell from Toulouse in January but as things stand, no contact has actually been made.
It has been claimed that the 23-year-old will cost around £20 million this winter (Claret and Hugh).
And Leeds United will be desperate for the Hammers to get a deal over the line for the impressive centre-back.
That’s because Leeds could be set to recoup a real bonus fee, if Cresswell does end up at the London Stadium.
Leeds set for windfall if Charlie Cresswell joins West Ham
Daniel Farke’s side sold Cresswell to Toulouse for £3.8 million in the summer of 2024 and Leeds Live have outlined the sell-on clause that was inserted into the deal.
Leeds will be entitled to 15% of any fee that Toulouse receive over the £3.8 million that they sold him for.
For example, should Toulouse sell Cresswell for £13.8 million, Leeds would be entitled to 15% of the £10 million difference – £1.5 million.
Where will West Ham v Nottingham Forest be WON and LOST? ⚒️
And who needs to step up?
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Should the 23-year-old be sold for £20 million, Leeds would be in line for a £2.43 million bonus.
In the modern era, figures like £2 million are looked down upon as mere pocket change at times.
However, for a club like Leeds, that sort of cash would come in really handy.
For example, if Cresswell joins West Ham for £20 million, the £2.43 million that Leeds will be in line to receive would cover their entire wage-bill for two weeks!
The Hammers fans are desperate to see Cresswell rock up at the London Stadium in the January transfer window.
And the Leeds board will be keen to see the deal happen as well.
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