A close ally of David Sullivan has hit out at Fulham with West Ham’s move for Adama Traore on the brink of collapse.
With the panic button firmly pressed, West Ham mean business in the January transfer window as relegation becomes a very real threat.
Much to the frustration of supporters, the Hammers are renowned for dragging their heels in the transfer market, often leaving deals until late in the window.
But the spectre of demotion to the Championship has changed all that.
West Ham uncharacteristically blitzed a number of bids for signings ahead of the window opening.
Hammers looking to spend their way to safety
Within the first 24 hours the Irons announced the £20m signing of Brazilian striker Pablo from Gil Vicente.
Lazio’s Argentine forward Valentin Castellanos is on his way in a £27m deal, pending a successful medical.
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England Under 21 defender Charlie Cresswell is next in West Ham’s sights after the club failed with a move on deadline day in the summer.
A move for one player who was expected to be the first over the line, though, has hit choppy waters.
And now a David Sullivan ally has hit out at Fulham as West Ham’s Adama Traore move faces collapse.
Photo by ALEX PANTLING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Just days after Nuno Espirito Santo joined the club in September, Hammers News exclusively revealed West Ham planned to make Traore the first signing of his tenure in January.
Muscle-bound winger Traore played some of the best football of his career under Nuno at Wolves.
The Hammers boss wanted Traore at Forest in the summer and the club’s refusal to back the move was one of the reasons Nuno’s relationship with the ownership soured.
Traore has been on the fringes at Fulham and it had been reported that a deal was all but done for the Spaniard weeks ago.
Sullivan ally hits out at Fulham as Traore move faces collapse
Traore was expected to leave Fulham for West Ham for a nominal fee on an initial six-month deal with the option for a further two years.
West Ham were pushing to get the Traore deal done before Friday’s player registration cut-off for the trip to his former club Wolves.
Adama Traore has a dismal minutes-to-goal record in the Premier League 😲
West Ham are sleepwalking towards relegation with this transfer…
Credit: Getty Images. Stats as on 01/01/26
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But negotiations have stalled and frustration is bubbling behind the scenes at the London Stadium, with the Hammers’ hierarchy not happy with the behaviour of Fulham.
A close confidant of West Ham’s majority owner has accused the Cottagers of moving the goalposts and now the club may move on to other targets.
Hammers insider Sean Whetstone counts Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady among his close West Ham boardroom contacts.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Whetstone has revealed a deal for West Ham to sign Traore from Fulham was all agreed until Fulham saw a chance to try and take advantage of the Hammers’ situation.
He says after agreeing a deal for Traore, Fulham moved the goalposts and are now asking for a massive transfer fee despite the winger only having six months remaining on his contract at Craven Cottage.
It is claimed that if the stalemate remains, the transfer – which West Ham thought was agreed last week – is unlikely.
Fulham ‘smell blood’ and have ‘moved goalposts’ on West Ham
West Ham had agreed to pay Traore’s ‘significant wages’ in full for the next six months plus a small transfer fee.
But Whetstone’s West Ham sources claim ‘Fulham can smell blood’ and know West Ham are desperate so now want an astonishing £7m fee.
After agreeing a deal for Adama Traore, Fulham have moved the goal posts and are now asking for a massive transfer fee despite their player only having six months remaining on his West London contract.
If the stalemate remains the transfer which West Ham thought was agreed last… pic.twitter.com/BVsp6S168f
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) January 2, 2026
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Fulham are also ahead of West Ham in the bid to sign Raheem Sterling.
But it is thought Fulham could relent on their demands to West Ham for Traore if they manage to get a deal sealed for Sterling.
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