The big story around West Ham in recent days has been the sacking of Graham Potter, who paid the price for the club’s dreadful start to the campaign.
His replacement, former Wolves and Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, has now been tasked with steering the Hammers away from relegation danger and back into mid-table safety.
Santo comes with pedigree, having guided Wolves to back-to-back seventh-place finishes and then leading Forest into European competition for the first time in decades.
Although his time at the City Ground ended after two years, West Ham fans are hopeful he can spark a similar turnaround at the London Stadium.
But for that to happen, squad changes will be essential — and it seems one potential marquee target is already on his radar.
West Ham to Battle Chelsea for Locatelli
According to a fresh report from Caught Offside, Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli has emerged as a target for both Chelsea and West Ham ahead of next summer.
The Serie A giants are expected to demand around £35 million for the Italy international, who could be allowed to leave Turin.
Locatelli has been a steady performer for Juventus since joining from Sassuolo in 2021, racking up close to 200 appearances in all competitions. Questions, however, remain over his long-term future, with current boss Igor Tudor no longer viewing him as an automatic starter, despite recently describing him as a “leader” within the squad.
For West Ham, Locatelli has been a long-standing name on the wishlist. With Guido Rodríguez’s future in doubt just months after his arrival, Nuno may well push for a proven central midfielder to solidify his engine room.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are also circling and remain a strong threat given their financial muscle and ability to offer European football — two factors that could sway Locatelli’s decision.
If West Ham are serious about competing for a player of this calibre, they’ll need to move aggressively and convince the Italian that East London is the right stage for his next chapter.
