West Ham United boss Nuno Espirito Santo is not the only one who appears to be growing tired of the media’s questions, as the upcoming January transfer window starts to dominate the agenda.
Nuno was quizzed on Nicas Fullkrug’s future during his press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Latest reports coming out of Italy suggest that Fullkrug is on the verge of joining AC Milan from the Premier League strugglers. But Nuno – while protesting that he cannot comment directly on ins and outs because ‘I’m not in those conversations’ – could hardly have been less subtle in his attempts to drag the conversation back to Saturday’s meeting with Manchester City.
Over in the Netherlands, Quinten Timber is facing plenty of questions he too would rather have avoided answering.
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Whether it be Feyenoord’s poor recent results under Robin van Persie, the decision to strip him of the captain’s armband, or the contract situation which has had reporters and fans demanding a response from the West Ham United-linked midfielder.
West Ham United target Quinten Timber suggests he could stay at Feyenoord
Hammers News were told in November that Nuno is a big fan of Quinten Timber. He showed an interest in bringing the Dutch international to Nottingham Forest before his sacking, and there is a feeling that Timber could be the ‘missing piece’ in this much-improved West Ham midfield.
A few weeks ago, the Feyenoord ultras displayed a banner reading ‘re-sign or leave’. The message could hardly have been clearer. With his contract expiring next summer, the time has come for Timber to make a decision.
January, after all, will be Feyenoord’s last chance to sell for somewhere in the region of their reported £23 million asking price. Unfortunately, Timber does not seem to be a man with his mind made up.
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
“That’s what my agents are for,” Timber tells RTV Rijnmond. “I know the talks are still ongoing [with Feyenoord] I have complete confidence in my agent and the club. I’ve been working with them for eight years.
“I’m enjoying myself at Feyenoord. I still love playing at De Kuip.
“[The situation] is not ideal. I’m not involved in the discussions myself. We’re not diametrically opposed. It’s positive, and we’re trying to find a good solution together. I’m really enjoying myself at Feyenoord. You might not believe that, but otherwise I wouldn’t still be in talks.”
Nuno Espirito Santo is a big fan of Timber and wanted him at Nottingham Forest
West Ham have been joined by Borussia Dortmund in targeting an athletic, technically-gifted, box-to-box midfielder who won the Eredivisie title under Arne Slot in 2023. Dutch icon Rafael van der Vaart thinks there is ‘Champions League-level’ quality in Timber, though his performances have declined notably of late as the speculation rages overhead.
“There will be plenty of interest from elsewhere and Timber believes he should be playing Champions League football,” a leading West Ham transfer source told Hammers News recently. “But Nuno likes him and wanted him at Forest so it makes sense.
“There’s a feeling he could be the missing piece for the manager.”
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Hammers News have also been told that Nuno could get a helping hand from Arsenal, of all places.
Timber’s twin brother, Jurrien, plays a few miles down the road at the Emirates. One sibling would like nothing more than to see the other join him in London.
“Quinton Timber is a fascinating option emerging for a number of clubs heading into 2026,” reporter Graeme Bailey explained recently. “And West Ham are one of those looking.
“I am told his brother Jurrien is pushing him to come to England, even though he has a number of options around Europe.”
Slot, under pressure at Liverpool these days, certainly believes his old midfield dynamo has the raw talent to follow in Jurrien’s footsteps.
“If [Quinten] continues to develop as he has, then his ceiling is extremely high because he has undergone great development over the past year. He is a special player,” Slot told Ziggo Sport in 2024.
“He has the strength and speed to create overloads. I think he has a very good mentality and is a good lad. [Quinten and Jurrien] are both very, very good. I don’t think it is ruled out that Quinten could also go to a club of [Arsenal’s] calibre.”
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