Adama Traore is far from the only winger who can credit West Ham United boss Nuno Espirito Santo for bringing out the very best in him on the Premier League stage.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, during Nottingham Forest’s European charge, finally started to make good on the potential that had Bayern Munich prepared to break the bank when he was still a teenager at Chelsea.
Anthony Elanga earned himself a £55 million move to Newcastle after blossoming into one of the most formidable counter-attacking weapons in English football on Nuno Espirito Santo’s watch.
Even Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola had no answer to Adama Traore’s rampaging in the Old Gold of Wolves, meanwhile.
Hammers News reported back in October that Nuno is keen to work with the Fulham speedster again at West Ham United. Now, as the January window looms into view, this particular story is gathering momentum.
Whether the same happens regarding those links with Tottenham Hotspur’s forgotten man, Manor Solomon, remains to be seen.
Spanish publication El Periodico de Mediterraneo, though, clearly believe that the Villarreal loanee is in line for a potential return to London. A transfer Sport1 reporter Niv Dovrat and one-time Atletico Madrid midfielder Avi Nimni are almost hoping to talk into existence.
Manor Solomon told West Ham United’ Nuno Espirito Santo is the perfect manager for him
West Ham missed out on Manor Solomon back in 2023. The Israel international’s agent confirmed that, before his client joined Tottenham from Shakhtar Donetsk, the Hammers were one of a number of clubs to express an interest of their own.
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Two years on, with Solomon an afterthought at Spurs and his game time limited in La Liga, pundits and former players back home seem to believe West Ham is an opportunity that would benefit all involved.
The Hammers would get themselves an unpredictable, highly-creative and occasionally free-scoring wideman to ease the burden on Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta. Solomon, meanwhile, would find himself a manager with a particular penchant for coaxing some consistency out of mercurial wingers.
“West Ham have a coach whose playing style – defensive football and going on outbursts – could be a great fit for Manor,” says Dovrat.
Former Atletico Madrid man Avi Nimni agrees on potential Hammers switch
Solomon is not only a searing threat on the counter-attack, though. On loan at a Leeds United side who dominated possession in the Championship last season, he scored 10 goals and assisted a further 13. Whether breaking forward at pace or tasked with unlocking a stubborn deep block, the one-time Fulham ace possesses both the explosiveness and the guile to make a difference in the final third.
“From now until January, things can change dramatically, even for the better,” adds Dovrat. “Right now, it doesn’t appear to be [going in a positive] direction.
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“As far as he’s concerned, I’ve spoken to people close to him in recent days, he doesn’t regret going to Villarreal because in the end, in life you take chances.”
“[But] if things don’t improve drastically, it’s not impossible that he will return in January. A team like Leeds that he knows very well, like West Ham, like Burnley, who made inquiries about him in the summer.”
Avi Nimni, who had a spell in England with Derby County after leaving Atletico Madrid, goes one step further.
“I wish he would go to West Ham,” says Nimni. “This is a team that is just perfect for him.”
Solomon’s agent insists the focus is on Villarreal and La Liga
Shlomi Ben Ezra, Solomon’s representative, insists that Solomon is purely focused on making his mark at Villarreal right now despite the return of transfer speculation.
The 26-year-old is set to make his return from a recent injury, and is determined to make up for lost time.
“He will be fit after the international break,” Ben Ezra told Sport5 a few days ago. “It’s not really appropriate to say right now that he’s not doing well. He’s at a great team and I believe he’ll take his place in the line-up later in the season.
“He’s happy there. He’s joined one of the best teams in Spain, he’s happy with the decision. He’s aware of the competition and it only does him good.