The £53m striker prepares to leave the club in January after alleged talks with West Ham

Nuno Espírito Santo is still awaiting his first win as West Ham manager since taking over from Graham Potter last month, and the January window could represent a lifeline amid their torrid situation.

West Ham suffer another defeat as January looks vital

Last Friday, it was Leeds United’s turn to inflict yet another damaging defeat on West Ham.

Early goals from Brenden Aaronson and former Tottenham defender Joe Rodon added further misery for Nuno, with a late consolation from summer signing Mateus Fernandes coming as too little, too late for the Portuguese side.

Nuno is still tinkering with his West Ham squad as he seeks to discover the best formula to steer them away from this season’s relegation fight.

After raising eyebrows with his rather questionable side to face Brentford last Monday, Nuno opted to play Lucas Paqueta as a false nine again at Elland Road, with Andy Iriving and Tomas Soucek chosen to start in midfield, like their defeat a few days previously.

Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman were also called upon once again to play as the starting centre-back pair, but just like their defeat to Brentford, they had no joy as Leeds gave West Ham a mountain to climb early.

Nuno apparently doesn’t like Callum Wilson or James Ward-Prowse, with the latter left out of all his squads for the day and a January exit seems likely for the Englishman.

It’s becoming abundantly clear that West Ham may not have a squad good enough to compete at this level, which is why reports have started to flood in that chairman David Sullivan and his colleagues are planning to be active when the transfer window reopens.

In a bid to save their season, Nuno is believed to have urged Sullivan and vice-chairman Karren Brady to sign a new defender, midfielder and striker in January, with Sky Sports also reporting that funds will be available for West Ham to spend.

Niclas Fullkrug’s injury problems have been a thorn in West Ham’s side since his move from Borussia Dortmund last year, and the need for a reliable goalscorer is obvious given Nuno’s reported stance on Wilson.

Callum Marshall is another option to lead the line, but so far Nuno is still reluctant to give the Northern Ireland international a chance to prove himself as he pursues makeshift options like Paqueta.

Given this, West Ham are in the market for a new number nine this winter, and Real Madrid starlet Endrick is seen as a key target.

The Brazil international, thanks to a combination of fitness issues and competition for places, has struggled to establish himself as a regular for Real, despite firing them in the Copa del Rey final last season before Los Blancos ultimately lost to Barcelona.

Endrick was a loan target for West Ham last January, and their long-term interest has remained.

According to some reports, West Ham have already held discussions with Real about signing Endrick on a temporary contract before January, and the Hammers are also keen on his teammate, Gonzalo Garcia.

Endrick prepares to leave Real Madrid after alleged talks with West Ham

Now, according to reports from Spain, Endrick is ‘preparing to leave’ Real amid these alleged West Ham talks, but there is no guarantee the teenager will choose to move to east London amid a growing clamor for his services.

Endrick, who is still widely regarded as one of Brazil’s brightest emerging talents, could also move to Brentford.

Keith Andrews’ side are named as a “clear” candidate for his signature, while La Liga sides like Real Sociedad and Sevilla are also keen to sign the former Palmeiras sensation who cost Real £53m to sign in 2022.

With West Ham firmly in the mix, they will need to move forward quickly before what appears to be a scramble for Endrick when the January window opens.

However, if Carlo Ancelotti’s past praise of the striker is to be believed, it could certainly be worth it.