West Ham ramp up striker plan: Ivan Toney not in frame; Mainoo, Zirkzee links downplayed

West Ham United are accelerating their search for a new forward, with respected reporter David Ornstein indicating a striker is firmly on the agenda. Ivan Toney is not being pursued, while links to Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee are considered a remote possibility. Even so, the Hammers’ intent is clear: add a dynamic No.9 who suits Julen Lopetegui’s high-tempo, possession-first approach. The club is confident of landing a front-line addition in this market, focusing on mobility, pressing and end-product to unlock their attacking options and bring immediate competition and depth to the forward line.

Per comments from David Ornstein, West Ham United are prioritising a forward in the current market. He clarified that Ivan Toney is not a target and that, while Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee have been linked, the likelihood of either joining the Hammers is remote. The briefing comes as Julen Lopetegui seeks greater attacking thrust and profile fit for his system, with West Ham expected to push on alternative options that deliver pace, pressing intensity and reliable finishing.

🚨🗣️ @David_Ornstein: "A forward would surely be on the agenda [for West Ham] but not Ivan Toney. Other players are linked with them: Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee at Manchester United. But I think it’s a pretty remote chance [that the Hammers get either of them]. We don’t

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

For West Ham, the headline is not who they will not sign, but the clarity of profile they are now pursuing under Julen Lopetegui. A mobile centre-forward who presses from the front, links play into the half-spaces and converts high-quality chances would immediately transform their ceiling. It shifts the burden away from makeshift solutions and offers a sharper focal point for wide runners, especially when the Hammers want to break lines quickly or sustain pressure in the final third.

By ruling out Ivan Toney, West Ham avoid a complex, high-fee, high-wage deal that could distort their budget. Steering away from unlikely moves for Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee also signals a disciplined market approach. Mainoo is integral to Manchester United’s midfield and Zirkzee, already embedded at Old Trafford, would command prohibitive terms. Instead, West Ham can deploy resources across a forward signing plus complementary depth in creative zones.

Tactically, Lopetegui’s 4-2-3-3/4-3-3 hinges on a striker who can receive on the turn, attack near-post spaces and press centre-backs. Such a signing would raise output from set pieces and transitional phases while improving ball retention in the final third. In short, a correctly profiled No.9 increases points expectancy, protects game-state leads, and provides a platform for consistent performances against both high blocks and counter-punching opponents.

Reaction

Fan sentiment around the update has been lively, if fragmented. Some supporters mocked the idea that West Ham could prise away talents like Kobbie Mainoo or Joshua Zirkzee, with one commenter dismissing the notion as “pretty damning if either go to WHFC,” framing the Hammers as a destination lacking upward mobility. Others pivoted the conversation into playful “upgrade” debates, asking who represents the bigger step up: Hojlund to Šeško, Garnacho to Cunha, or Antony to Mbeumo—comparisons that underscore how fluid the forward market feels and how narratives travel quickly across clubs.

There’s the usual mix of meme culture and off-topic cheer—light-hearted greetings and tangents about coaches “doing the dance first”—which shows how transfer threads often double as social spaces. Still, nested among the noise is a real theme: fans expect West Ham to act decisively but are skeptical the club can close star-powered deals from a direct rival. That skepticism is balanced by those who argue Lopetegui’s project and London pull remain strong magnets if the profile fit and playing-time promises are right.

Overall, the mood is split: curiosity and cautious optimism about a forward arriving soon, countered by doubts that headline United names are realistic. What’s unanimous is the appetite for clarity—supporters want a concrete name and a signing that actually moves the needle.

Social reactions

Pretty damning if either go to #WHFC. A club going nowhere 😳

@rwc49 (@rwc49)

No way Amorim did the dance first 😭😭 []

(fan) Frank 🧠🇵🇹 (@AmorimEra_)

Before Lammens. With Lammens.

Kev 屮 (@UtdKev8)

Prediction

Expect West Ham to close on a forward who fits three non-negotiables: pressing intensity, movement across the front line, and finishing consistency from central zones. The club’s swift decision to park the Ivan Toney idea suggests budget and stylistic precision are leading the search. With Mainoo and Zirkzee deemed remote, the Hammers will likely pivot to a continental or domestically proven option whose price aligns with wage structure and amortisation comfort.

Tactically, anticipate a No.9 comfortable receiving to feet and spinning into channels, thereby opening pockets for the No.10 and inverted wingers. Lopetegui’s staff value defensive contribution; any target will be vetted for duels triggered from the front and re-press actions after turnovers. In practical terms, this points to a 23–27-year-old with strong availability, per-90 shot volume above league average, and a track record of chance conversion rather than pure xG overperformance.

Timeline-wise, West Ham’s intent reads as “before the deadline” rather than last-minute brinkmanship. A deal structure with achievable add-ons and a manageable base fee is the likeliest route. Once signed, expect immediate minutes and rotation with an eye to chemistry building ahead of a congested run of fixtures.

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Conclusion

Strip away the noise and the path is clear: West Ham will sign a striker targeted for role, not just reputation. Taking Ivan Toney off the board reduces cost and complexity, and acknowledging the remoteness of Mainoo or Zirkzee helps avoid time sinks that stall momentum. This is how smart recruitment looks—define the problem, narrow the profile, and execute early enough to integrate the player.

With Lopetegui prioritising verticality and structure, a purposeful No.9 should lift the collective. It raises the floor by adding predictable output and raises the ceiling by unlocking runners, set-piece variants, and second-phase pressure. Crucially, it also signals internally that the project is moving with intent, which matters for dressing-room belief and performances under pressure.

The next step is conversion: identify, bid, land. If West Ham keep this clarity and tempo, the signing should arrive on schedule—and once it does, the team will finally have the attacking balance to turn tight matches into points.