West Ham’s dreadful start to the 2025/26 campaign has already sparked talk of major changes, both in the dugout and on the pitch.
Four defeats in their opening five league matches, including the latest 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace, have left Graham Potter’s job hanging by a thread. Add to that an early EFL Cup exit at the hands of Wolves, and the mood around the London Stadium is grim.
Aside from standout performances by Lucas Paquetá and summer signing El Hadji Malick Diouf, the Hammers have had little to celebrate. New arrivals have struggled to adapt, old faces look out of form, and the squad already appears thin.
So much so, that just weeks into the season, the club is reportedly casting its eye towards January reinforcements — with one high-profile name on their radar.
West Ham Monitoring Loftus-Cheek
According to Caught Offside, West Ham are keeping close tabs on AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek and could move for him when the transfer window reopens.
The 29-year-old, who swapped Chelsea for Milan in 2023, has settled well in Serie A but could soon be tempted by a return to England. Sources close to the player’s camp suggest that uncertainty around his future has not gone unnoticed by Premier League clubs.
Loftus-Cheek, described as “quality” by England boss Thomas Tuchel after recently bringing him back into the international fold, has started the season brightly with four league appearances and a goal to his name.
West Ham, along with Newcastle United and Aston Villa, are all said to be monitoring developments. The Hammers are believed to be seriously weighing up a potential bid, viewing the midfielder as an experienced option capable of bolstering their squad in the second half of the season.
Loftus-Cheek’s current deal with Milan runs until June 2027, but the club reportedly plans to review his contract situation in early 2026 — a decision point that could determine whether they cash in or extend his stay.
For West Ham, Loftus-Cheek could provide much-needed quality and experience in the middle of the park. With the season already threatening to unravel, January might not just be about strengthening — it could be about saving their Premier League status.
