West Ham United are pursuing two high profile ers as they prepare for life in the Championship, with former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott and Arsenal outcast Reiss Nelson both firmly on their radar. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo, retained despite relegation from the Premier League, faces a significant rebuilding job after the club finished last season on just 39 points and subsequently lost several key players to lucrative transfers.
The exodus from the London Stadium has been substantial and speaks to the financial realities facing relegated clubs. Mateus Fernandes departed for Tottenham in an £85 million deal, while Crysencio Summerville secured a move to Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal for £55 million. Fred Potts joined Belgian side Club Brugge for £10.2 million, and veteran striker Callum Wilson left on a free transfer to rejoin the Premier League with Brentford. Against this backdrop of departures, Espirito Santo has brought in experienced defender Joel Veltman from Brighton on a free transfer and made the loan of Venezuela international Keiber Lamadrid permanent, but clearly needs more reinforcements before the season begins.
Parrott has emerged as a primary target after his impressive spell in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar, where he has scored 30 goals in 59 Eredivisie appearances since making his move permanent in 2024. Across all competitions, the 24 year old has netted 51 times in 97 games, form that has attracted attention from clubs across Europe including Portuguese giants Porto. West Ham have reportedly submitted a bid of approximately £15 million for the Republic of Ireland international as they look to replace the firepower lost with Wilson’s departure.
Yet Parrott himself has suggested he may not be in a hurry to return to English football, having found success and happiness abroad. Speaking to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, he reflected on his cing perspective since moving to the Eredivisie. Before arriving in the Netherlands, he admitted he was completely focused on England and dreamed of the Premier League, but discovering that the football world extends far beyond the English game has broadened his horizons. His comments suggest West Ham may face stiff competition and a player who needs convincing that a Championship campaign represents the right next step in his career.
Nelson presents a different opportunity entirely, a player seeking regular first team football after years on the periphery at Arsenal. The 26 year old winger came through the Gunners’ renowned academy and has made 90 first team appearances over the years, but his opportunities at the Emirates have dried up almost completely. He has played just once for Arsenal over the past two seasons, spending the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Fulham and last season at Brentford. While he has featured in preseason under Mikel Arteta, the expectation remains that he will move on before the transfer window closes, with Fulham and Portuguese side Benfica also monitoring the situation alongside West Ham.
The challenge facing Espirito Santo is clear. He must assemble a squad capable of securing immediate promotion while working with a reduced budget following relegation and the departure of several high earners. Whether West Ham can convince Parrott to swap European football for the Championship, and whether they can beat Premier League competition for Nelson’s signature, will go a long way toward determining their prospects for the season ahead. For a club of West Ham’s stature and ambition, anything less than a swift return to the top flight would represent a serious setback, making these early transfer moves crucial to their immediate future.
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