West Ham signed more players than any other club during the recent January transfer window, but they also missed out on a key target.
As illustrated in the full list of completed Premier League January transfers 2026, the Hammers brought in five new players this winter.
Pablo Felipe, Taty Castellanos and Adama Traore all signed permanent deals at the London Stadium, while Axel Disasi and Keiber Lamadrid arrived on loan.
It has since emerged that all of those transfers were completed after West Ham pulled out of a deal to sign Eddie Nketiah from London rivals Crystal Palace.
Why West Ham’s Eddie Nketiah transfer collapsed
West Ham and Crystal Palace had reached an agreement in principle over a £27 million deal for Nketiah early in the January window.
The England international was viewed as a key attacking reinforcement for the Hammers, who were keen to add depth and mobility to their forward line during the second half of the season.
However, the move was abruptly halted when Nketiah suffered a hamstring injury in training.
The setback ruled him out of action for an extended period and effectively made any January transfer impossible. With the striker unable to complete a medical or contribute immediately on the pitch, West Ham pulled out.
West Ham subsequently redirected their transfer strategy, focusing on alternative attacking and midfield options they believed were capable of steering the club away from the Premier League’s relegation zone.
Crystal Palace forced to rethink striker plans
Palace’s willingness to sell Nketiah was partly influenced by their own attacking reshuffle.
The Eagles were active throughout January as they attempted to address their lack of goals and ease concerns about a potential relegation battle. Significant funds were committed to new attacking signings, including a club-record move for Jorgen Strand Larsen.
There had also been a possibility that Palace would move for a replacement striker if Nketiah…
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