'The Situation': West Ham dealt Man City transfer blow by Pep Guardiola

West Ham have been handed a potential transfer blow by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as the club looks to add a new goalkeeper to their squad in the January window.

The Hammers’ immediate priority this month has been to add firepower to the side and they achieved that with Taty Castellanos and Pablo coming through the doors at the London Stadium for a combined fee of around £50 million.

Taty bagged his first goal for West Ham in the 2-1 FA Cup win over QPR and now the club are set to look at improving their options at the back. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have conceded more goals than any other team in the division.

West Ham target defensive reinforcements

A centre-back is a priority amid links with the likes of Charlie Cresswell and Eric Dier, but a new goalkeeper at the London Stadium also looks likely. West Ham paid £20 million to sign Mads Hermansen from Leicester City last summer but the 25-year-old spent just four matches as number one before being relegated to the bench.

Lukasz Fabianski then returned as a free agent, having just left the club. Alphonse Areola remains first choice but there is the feeling that the Frenchman is not a long term number one for the Hammers.

West Ham had been linked with Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento Matheus, as well as Manchester City man James Trafford. The latter only signed at the Etihad Stadium from Burnley last summer but now struggles for game time competing against Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Pep Guardiola speaks out on James Trafford future

West Ham insider ExWHUEmployee reported last week that the Hammers had launched an enquiry to sign Trafford. It’s claimed that was knocked back by Manchester City, with Stefan Ortega offered to the London Stadium instead.

Guardiola has now spoken out about Trafford’s future and all-but confirmed that a January exit would not be happening. The City boss suggested that a summer departure could be on the cards, but that won’t be of help if West Ham are looking for a new shot-stopper this month.

Guardiola said: "He reacted really well [to the signing of Donnarumma]. No complaints and James is a top keeper - no doubts about that. I understand the situation. Goalkeepers are special - it is one or the other, not like other positions where you can play someone else."

When asked specifically about a January exit, he said: "No. I would like him to stay for many, many years. But the situation of the keeper is special and we will see what happens."

In other news, 'Deal Done': West Ham to miss out on Nuno Espirito Santo replacement as Man Utd job agreed.