West Ham is planning another big signing after making a record-breaking transfer in the league!
West Ham are planning an important signing upfront as they get ready for the 2026-27 Championship season. The team is looking to bring in more Premier League talent to help them get back to the top division.
Today, West Ham kicked off their Championship season with an away game at Turf Moor against Burnley, and they’re currently leading 1-0 as I write this.
Last season was tough for West Ham in the Premier League. They fought to avoid relegation right up to the final day, battling Tottenham Hotspur. In the end, one London team stayed up while the other, West Ham, got relegated, which has left their squad’s future uncertain.
This summer, though, the Hammers have had a good transfer window, with players both leaving and joining. Fans were happy to hear that Jarrod Bowen decided to stay with the club. They also signed Manor Solomon from Spurs, who they had battled against in the relegation fight, and added Joel Veltman, a right-back from Brighton.
Now, West Ham want to add another attacking player from the Premier League to play alongside Bowen and Solomon. Leeds United is their target.
According to Sky Sports, Joel Piroe from Leeds is on West Ham’s wishlist after not getting much game time at Elland Road last season. They originally wanted to sign Troy Parrott but now see Piroe as a great backup option. Piroe only started two Premier League games last season, but he’s scored 34 goals over three years with Leeds.
One challenge is how to structure the deal. West Ham would prefer to start with a loan that includes a promise to buy him later, ensuring a permanent transfer and some money for Leeds. But Leeds wants to sell him outright without a loan period. Piroe himself just wants to play more, no matter which club he joins.
Piroe moved from Swansea City to Leeds in 2023 and scored 19 Championship goals in 36 starts on the way to Leeds’ promotion in 2024-25. He recently scored in a pre-season friendly against Wrexham, although Leeds lost 3-2. His only goal last season was in the FA Cup during a 3-0 win over Norwich.
Talks are ongoing, and the Parrott deal is on hold because West Ham and AZ Alkmaar can’t agree on his price.
Bowen had a great start to the Championship season with an assist that helped Max Kilman score the first goal against Burnley.
West Ham’s other new signings include winger Keiber Lamadrid, who joined for just over €1 million from Deportivo La Guaira, and midfielder Alex Engels from Celtic. Engels joined for a club-record fee of just over €25 million and is expected to be a key player in the middle of the pitch as West Ham aim for promotion.