Super agent Jorge Mendes is set to have a big influence on West Ham transfers behind the scenes after the departure of Kyle Macaulay.

One of the big reasons Nuno Espirito Santo is the head coach of West Ham right now is down to a dispute over transfers and super agent Jorge Mendes.

The Portuguese fell out with Forest chief Evangelos Marinakis when he brought Edu in from Arsenal as sporting director to oversee recruitment.

The Brazilian is known to work with Kia Joorabchian – a name Hammers fans will remember all too well from the Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano saga, not to mention a doomed takeover bid for West Ham.

Edu’s arrival meant less of a say in transfers for Nuno and his agent Mendes, who is arguably the biggest in the game.

Nuno went public over his bust-up with Marinakis and a few weeks later he was taking over from Graham Potter at West Ham having been controversially shown the door at the City Ground.

Nuno has impressed already in east London.

But there is absolutely no doubt he needs reinforcements as soon as the January transfer window opens.

Hammers News exclusively revealed in mid-September that West Ham met with Nuno about taking the job.

It was also revealed that Nuno wanted assurances from the Hammers board that he and Mendes would have a big say on signings.

West Ham announced the expected departure of head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay this week.

The Hammers hierarchy made one key thing perfectly clear about Macaulay when explaining the decision to let him go.

Mendes is Nuno’s right-hand man when it comes to transfers.

West Ham fans will remember only too well the throng of top players that enabled Wolves to sign.

Some of the very best players in world football are represented by Mendes – none of whom are going to be lured to the London Stadium anytime soon of course.

West Ham’s £40m summer signing Mateus Fernandes is a Mendes client.

But his stable is huge and wide-ranging in talent levels, meaning there are a host of more realistic targets the Hammers can look at for the winter window.

Here are three exciting Mendes clients the Hammers could realistically sign in January.

It has been confirmed by top sources connected to West Ham that a striker is a top priority in the next window.

But a centre-back is also a necessity while more cover in midfield and on the wings will be important as West Ham are a Jarrod Bowen or Crysencio Summerville injury away from potential disaster.

West Ham will surely look to sign at least two or three players in January as their squad already only comprises 22 players.

And it’s been made clear the likes of James Ward-Prowse have no future in east London.

According to Transfermarkt, Mendes’ Gestifute agency has 157 players on its roster worth a total of nearly £2bn.

Bright Arrey-Mbi, centre-back, Braga

A completely new name entered the frame for West Ham on deadline day in the summer in the shape of Braga centre-back Bright Arrey-Mbi.

It was reported by a journalist close to the club’s owners that the Germany Under 21 star Arrey-Mbi was a West Ham target for a loan with obligation deal in the last knockings of the window.

But Braga rejected the move and it was claimed the Hammers could return in January.

The 22-year-old spent time at Norwich and Chelsea’s academy when he was younger and played for England’s Under 15s before moving to Bayern Munich and choosing to represent Germany.

Arrey-Mbi is one of Mendes’ clients. Although he is on a long contract, until 2029, West Ham should be able to get the powerful star for a reasonable fee. Especially with Mendes involved.

Pablo Felipe Pereira de Jesus, striker, Gil Vicente

Brazilian striker Pablo only signed a permanent four-year contract with Gil Vicente in the summer.

But he has been so good, he could be moved on for the right fee in January.

Pablo already has six goals in eight appearances this season.

Pablo is a client of Mendes and is powerful, pacy and skilful. He is also adept at holding up the ball and linking play, something West Ham sorely need.

The 21-year-old signed a four-year deal at Gil Vicente but again Mendes could easily make a deal happen with the early-season Portuguese Primeira Liga high-flyers.

Karim Adeyemi, winger and forward, Borussia Dortmund

West Ham have been linked with jet-heeled Germany ace Karim Adeyemi over the last few windows, including during the summer.

He remained at Dortmund, though, where he has scored three goals in eight appearances so far this season.

Adeyemi is one of the fastest players in Europe and West Ham are crying out for more pace.

The added bonus is that the 23-year-old former Red Bull Salzburg star can play on both wings, as a wide forward on both sides and as a striker or second striker.

Adeyemi is now into the last two years of his contract and Dortmund were looking for buyers in the summer.

So that is another Mendes client deal West Ham could realistically achieve.