Key Points
- West Ham United brought in seven new players during the summer, making Jean-Clair Todibo’s loan permanent.
- Early-season struggles saw Graham Potter sacked and replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo in September.
- El Hadji Malick Diouf impresses at left-back, making his £19m signing from Slavia Prague look like a bargain.
- Mateus Fernandes, a £42m priority signing from Southampton, has shown promise with strong midfield performances.
- Callum Wilson, joining on a modest wage with a history of injuries, scored key goals amid Niclas Fullkrug’s injury.
- Kyle Walker-Peters, a versatile free-agent signing from Southampton, has shone in multiple defensive and wing roles.
- Jean-Clair Todibo, bought for £33m, started slow but showed improvement after early season injury setbacks.
- Soungoutou Magassa, a £17m signing from Monaco, has struggled for playing time under Nuno’s management.
- Igor Julio, acquired from Brighton, has had limited appearances, struggling to break into the first team.
- Mads Hermansen, a £20m transfer from Leicester City, has been West Ham’s poorest signing, criticised for costly errors in goal.
Who are West Ham United’s standout summer signings in 2025?
West Ham United underwent an active transfer window in the summer of 2025, securing seven new players alongside converting Jean-Clair Todibo’s loan into a permanent deal. However, not all newcomers have met expectations, contributing to the club’s precarious position near the relegation zone in the Premier League. Early-season underperformance led to the dismissal of head coach Graham Potter, with Nuno Espirito Santo appointed in September to steer the team away from danger. This coaching change occurred after all summer signings had committed, adding a layer of complexity to the club’s attempts to stabilise performance at the London Stadium.
El Hadji Malick Diouf has emerged as a positive highlight for West Ham after transferring from Slavia Prague for £19 million. As reported by GIVEMESPORT, Diouf quickly adapted to the Premier League’s demands, especially following the summer exits of Emerson Palmieri and Aaron Cresswell. Diouf has cemented himself as the first-choice left-back and has made an immediate impact offensively with three assists. His partnership with winger Crysencio Summerville has been a productive facet of West Ham’s attack, hinting at his long-term value and potential interest from other clubs.
Mateus Fernandes, a high-profile signing costing up to £42 million from Southampton, has displayed encouraging signs. According to Sky Sports coverage, Fernandes was a key target for Potter and has demonstrated his energy and ball-winning ability in midfield, particularly during a standout match against Burnley. Fernandes has contributed both defensively and offensively, grabbing his first goal in a narrow loss to Leeds United, and his presence has lent much-needed stability and dynamism in front of the defence.
How effective has Callum Wilson been since joining West Ham?
Callum Wilson’s acquisition on a relatively modest salary—starting at £50,000 per week—sparked some doubt about his fitness and form. However, as per Capology data and commentary, Wilson, a striker with 90 Premier League goals, has proven his worth at the London Stadium. He stepped into the role left vacant by Niclas Fullkrug’s injuries and scored important goals, including in wins over Burnley and Nottingham Forest. Though initially overlooked in favour of younger players like Callum Marshall, Wilson’s experience and goal-scoring instinct have made him crucial for Nuno Espirito Santo’s survival bid.
What role has Kyle Walker-Peters played in West Ham’s season?
Kyle Walker-Peters joined West Ham as a free agent after Southampton’s relegation, despite reported interest from Turkish club Besiktas. As detailed by GIVEMESPORT and Capology, he was brought in for his defensive versatility and rewarded with a £55,000 weekly wage. Walker-Peters has adapted well under Nuno, filling in on both flanks when called upon. Impressively, he scored what proved to be a winning goal against Burnley and has overtaken Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the right-back pecking order, demonstrating his value without a transfer fee.
What is the status of Jean-Clair Todibo at West Ham?
Jean-Clair Todibo’s £33 million purchase became obligatory upon West Ham retaining their Premier League status. His initial period was disrupted by injuries and a reported disagreement with Graham Potter, but as noted by The New York Times, Todibo’s form has begun to improve under Nuno. He has started to form a promising central defensive partnership with Max Kilman, bolstered by Konstantinos Mavropanos’s injury. This partnership is viewed as key to increasing defensive solidity as West Ham face critical fixtures in the festive season.
Why has Soungoutou Magassa struggled at West Ham?
Soungoutou Magassa arrived late in the summer transfer window from Ligue 1 club Monaco for a fee exceeding £17 million. Despite this significant investment, the French midfielder has had difficulty establishing himself. GIVEMESPORT reports that since Nuno’s appointment, Magassa has made just six Premier League appearances totaling 191 minutes and has been limited to one start in a draw against Everton. He trails behind Fernandes, Freddie Potts, and Tomas Soucek in the squad hierarchy, with manager Nuno favouring other midfield options, including Andy Irving.
Has Igor Julio made an impact at West Ham?
Igor Julio, signed from Brighton & Hove Albion, has had a similarly challenging start. He declined a last-minute loan move to Crystal Palace, preferring to battle for minutes at West Ham. However, according to club and media reports, he has only managed 32 Premier League minutes so far—coming off the bench in a few matches—and is yet to earn a starting role, struggling to displace Todibo or Kilman at centre-back.
Who is considered West Ham’s biggest summer signing disappointment?
Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, acquired from Championship side Leicester City for close to £20 million, has been widely labelled West Ham’s worst summer signing. Initial errors, particularly from set pieces, contributed to costly goals and defensive frailties. As referenced in BBC Sport and commentary by Gary Lineker, Hermansen’s debut against Sunderland was described as ‘awful,’ conceding three goals and leading to his subsequent relegation to the bench. Since then, veteran goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has taken over as first-choice under Nuno. Speculation surrounds West Ham seeking to find a buyer for Hermansen after a difficult start to his London Stadium tenure.
