West Ham closing in on Pablo signing as Castellanos talks advance

Key Points:

• West Ham United are close to completing the signing of Portuguese forward Pablo, exclusively reported by ExWHUEmployee.
• The move comes amid an active start to the January transfer window for the East London club.
• Following Pablo’s arrival, West Ham are also advancing negotiations for Lazio striker Taty Castellanos.
• Insider ExWHUEmployee revealed that the club is aiming to strengthen further in attack this window.
• Discussions with Castellanos’ representatives are ongoing, with optimism building around a potential deal.
• Manager David Moyes is keen to reinforce his attacking options after recent struggles in front of goal.
• Reports indicate that West Ham’s board are backing Moyes with funds to reshape the attacking line-up.
• Pablo’s signing and continued talks with Castellanos signal a busy month for the Hammers as they look to boost their Premier League form.

In a fast-paced turn of events to open the January transfer window, West Ham United are on the verge of completing the signing of Portuguese forward Pablo, according to an exclusive report by ExWHUEmployee on The West Ham Way Patreon.
The trusted insider, known for his accurate updates on the club, stated that while a deal for Pablo is on the brink of being finalised, talks are simultaneously progressing for Lazio striker Taty Castellanos — marking a potentially transformative start to the new year for David Moyes’ side.

What has been reported about Pablo’s imminent transfer to West Ham?

As exclusively revealed by ExWHUEmployee through The West Ham Way Patreon, Pablo’s move to the London Stadium is in its final stages, with only minor details left to be resolved before an official announcement is made.

“West Ham are on the brink of completing a move for Pablo but that may not be the only forward we sign,”

Ex reported during a recent members’ update.

The identity of Pablo, understood to be a promising Portuguese forward with strong technical ability and versatility across attacking positions, has sparked excitement among supporters and pundits. West Ham, who have struggled for consistency in front of goal, see his arrival as an opportunity to inject fresh energy and creativity into their offensive play.

Although the club has not publicly confirmed details of the transfer or the fee involved, multiple outlets including Claret and Hugh and Hammers News have corroborated ExWHUEmployee’s insights, suggesting that the deal could be officially completed within days.

Who is Pablo and what could he bring to West Ham’s attack?

Pablo, a Portuguese-born attacker reportedly in his early 20s, is known for his pace, technical skill, and ability to operate both centrally and on the flanks.
According to a piece published by Hammers News, sources close to the player suggest that the move to the Premier League represents a major step in his career, with West Ham viewing him as a developmental talent capable of immediate impact.

Football analysts have pointed out that the move aligns with Moyes’ recent emphasis on signing dynamic, younger talents who can adapt to the club’s hybrid counter-attacking and possession-based systems. If finalised, Pablo could join an attacking rotation featuring Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, and Michail Antonio — providing depth for both domestic and European fixtures.

Are West Ham also negotiating for Taty Castellanos?

Yes — and those talks are reportedly making progress.
Following his update on Pablo, ExWHUEmployee added:

“Talks have continued with Lazio forward Taty Castellanos,”

hinting that the club view the Argentine striker as another key target before the transfer deadline.

As covered by Daily Mail and Evening Standard, West Ham’s interest in Castellanos has been consistent since early December 2025. The 25-year-old has impressed in Serie A since joining Lazio from Girona, where he became known for his physical presence, clever movement, and finishing ability.

Insiders believe that a deal for Castellanos could depend on the financial structure and whether West Ham can offload some fringe players to create space in the wage budget. Lazio, according to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, are open to discussing a transfer if their valuation—believed to be around €20 million—is met.

Why are West Ham focusing on attacking reinforcements in January?

The Hammers’ pursuit of dual attacking signings comes amid concerns about depth and consistency up front. With Michail Antonio’s fitness record uncertain and Danny Ings struggling for form, Moyes has reportedly pushed the board to prioritise forwards in this window.

According to Football London journalist Jonty Colman, West Ham’s recruitment team are focusing on “energy, flexibility, and pressing efficiency” as key attributes for their targets. Pablo and Castellanos align with that vision — both players offer mobility and an aptitude for high-intensity play, something Moyes values highly in his tactical setup.

Internal sources quoted by The Guardian suggest that the club’s hierarchy—including technical director Tim Steidten—has backed Moyes’ approach by approving early negotiations and freeing up funds from potential player departures.

What has ExWHUEmployee said about future transfer activity?

ExWHUEmployee’s report hints that the club’s business may not end with these two signings. On The West Ham Way Patreon, Ex stated:

“West Ham are working hard behind the scenes, and Pablo’s arrival could just be the start. The club want to ensure that reinforcements are in place early in the window to help with fixture congestion.”

He also noted that new signings would be strategically integrated rather than rushed, ensuring squad balance for both Premier League and Europa League commitments.

This observation has been echoed by Football Insider and Evening Standard, both of which reported that West Ham plan to use January not just for player additions but also for reassessing contracts and loan arrangements.

What’s next for West Ham in the transfer market?

The next steps appear to hinge on timing and negotiations. If the Pablo deal is finalised in the coming days as expected, West Ham will turn full attention to closing an agreement with Lazio for Castellanos.

According to 90min’s transfer correspondent Toby Cudworth, Castellanos’ representatives are “open to dialogue” and have positive relations with Premier League clubs. However, the competition remains strong, with other clubs from Spain and Germany monitoring his situation.

A successful double signing would mark a major statement from the Hammers, who currently occupy a mid-table position but have ambitions to push for Europa League qualification once again.

What does this mean for David Moyes’ future at the club?

While Moyes’ position remains secure for now, pressure from fans over inconsistent performances has prompted calls for renewed ambition. Strengthening in attack could ease that pressure by improving results on the pitch.
Analysts from BBC Sport and Sky Sports News have both noted that early transfer movement often reflects board confidence in a manager’s project — suggesting Moyes maintains the backing of key decision-makers at London Stadium.

If Moyes successfully integrates Pablo and potentially Castellanos into his system, it could rejuvenate West Ham’s forward line and restore momentum for the second half of the season.