WEST HAM ANALYSIS: WHY 33-GOAL PROMISE DAVID IS THE PERFECT FüLLKRUG REPLACEMENT
West Ham are pushing to sign Canadian striker Promise David in a £17m January deal. The 6ft 4in forward is a key target to solve their centre-forward issues.
West Ham seems to be moving fast before January, with reports saying their main target is Promise David, a 24-year-old Canadian forward.
Earlier this week, there were claims that West Ham asked about the striker before the winter window. Now, TeamTalk says West Ham is leading the race to sign the Union Saint-Gilloise (USG) striker.
Why West Ham wants Promise David
David has come a long way, starting his career in Estonia before succeeding in Belgium. In his first full season at USG, he scored 24 goals and was vital in helping the club end its long wait for a major win, lifting the Belgian First Division title in 24/25, their first league title since 1935.
At around 6 ft 4 in, with a strong presence and quick instincts in the box, David’s mix of strength and finishing ability makes him a good fit for the Premier League. Scouts and insiders see him as a good deal, with some calling him “the monster” because of his dominance in the penalty area.
He’s already scored nine goals this season, perhaps showing that his rise isn’t just luck but the start of something consistent.
Since joining USG, the Canadian international has scored 33 goals in 61 games, including three in seven European appearances.
How he fits West Ham’s plans and why it matters now
West Ham urgently needs to strengthen their attack. With Niclas Füllkrug likely to leave in January due to a poor return from injury and inconsistent performance, and despite Callum Wilson's recent improvements, the staff wants to add at least one more forward in January.
David’s good at aerial play, holding the ball, and scoring goals, which would give them a true centre-forward, possibly opening up space for players like Jarrod Bowen, Crysencio Summerville, and Lucas Paquetá.
The reported fee of around €20 million (about £17–18 million) is considered very cheap for a forward with Champions League experience and years left on his contract. For a club that worries about high prices, this is an easy choice.
West Ham faces competition for Promise David.
Other Premier League clubs like Wolves and Leeds United are also thinking about bidding for David.
Because of this, West Ham is trying to get in touch early before January, which makes sense if they want to secure the deal before the usual rush raises the price or David loses interest.
From our point of view, targeting David seems like the kind of smart move the club has needed in recent windows. If it goes through, West Ham would be taking a rare opportunity to invest in a young, eager striker who could finally give them what they’ve been missing: a real, reliable No. 9 up front.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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