West Ham United were busy during the 2026 January transfer window, but it’s hard to say they are definitely a much better team for it.
Indeed, West Ham made four major signings during the January transfer window, the last of which arrived on Deadline Day in the form of Axel Disasi.
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I’m not going to lie, I’m underwhelmed…
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The Frenchman joined West Ham on loan until the end of the season and will need to be at his very best if he’s going to make a significant impact between now and the end of the season.
It’s been a dramatic month for the club both on and off the pitch. With that in mind, Hammers News looks at the winners and losers from West Ham’s January transfer window.
Winners Pablo Felipe
Pablo Felipe’s move to West Ham marked a huge jump in his career.
The forward, who has already made five appearances for the club, made what is a massive leap from the Portuguese league to the Premier League.
He has so far done reasonably well. Indeed, West Ham fans have been impressed by Pablo, although the jury is still out on whether he’s made for this level just yet.
Still, the January transfer window brought about a big career boost.
James Ward-Prowse
Ah, James Ward-Prowse.
To say his move to east London from Southampton in 2023 didn’t work out would be an understatement.
The midfielder did not impress under a single manager in east London and the situation got even worse under Nuno, with the 31-year-old exiled from the first team.
Now, at least, Ward-Prowse has joined Burnley on loan in a bid to rebuild his career.
Lucas Paqueta
Lucas Paqueta got his dream move back to Flamengo late in the window.
Given the manner of his exit, it’d be fair to say that not all too many West Ham fans will be fondly waving him off.
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However, the Brazilian was the big winner from a personal standpoint, while the club got rid of a player who simply did not want to stick around during a relegation battle.
Nuno Espirito Santo
Upon signing both Taty Castellanos and Pablo, West Ham’s official website made it very clear that Nuno Espirito Santo had identified both as targets.
Clearly, the West Ham head coach was backed in the transfer market – even despite poor results at the time.
The fact that he was then reunited with Adama Traore – a player with whom he has extensively worked – was another indication as to the level of support Nuno has received.
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Losers David Sullivan
Sullivan has recouped a lot of money through player sales, so that may be seen as a positive in some circles.
However, rather than move for tried and tested players, Sullivan has taken a risk on this recruitment drive.
Taty and Pablo have never played at this level. Disasi, meanwhile, hasn’t made a meaningful senior appearance in almost nine months.
Relegation from the Premier League would be a huge financial burden for Sullivan and he’s relying on some risky signings to try and avoid that.
West Ham United fans
This was surely not the show of ambition West Ham fans wanted to see from their club in the battle to beat the drop.
While not to be disrespectful about any of the players the club actually signed, not many of them leap off the page as game-changing additions.
Given the club look almost certain to drop into the Championship barring a strong end to the season, an understated transfer window hardly lifts the mood all that much.
Perhaps Sullivan’s big gamble will pay off but, thus far, supporters have been let down. The sad thing is that it’s just not a surprise.
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