West Ham hoping to sell Pablo Fornals in January and want trio of signings

West Ham United are hoping to sell Pablo Fornals in the January transfer window, understands, despite recently activating a one-year extension in his contract.

Fornals would have been out of contract at the end of June had West Ham not exercised their one-year option, allowing him to discuss a free transfer with clubs from abroad in January.

The 27-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at West Ham and started just his second Premier League game of the season at Fulham last Sunday, when he was hooked after 45 minutes with the Hammers 3-0 down.

Fornals has started five of West Ham's six Europa League games, helping them qualify for the last 16, but sources have told the Europa Conference League holders are looking to cash in on Fornals in January and are hopeful of earning back some of the £24m transfer fee they paid Villarreal in 2019.

Saudi Pro League clubs were interested in signing Fornals over the summer, though West Ham were unwilling to sell at the time, and understands that the player's preference would be a return to Spain.

In addition to selling Fornals, understands West Ham want to sign two new full-backs in January and also add another striker to the their ranks.

The Hammers have played much of the season with Vladimir Coufal and Emerson at right and left back, and both have enjoyed impressive campaigns to date. But the lack of quality depth has been apparent when the duo have not been available, leaving manager David Moyes and the club's recruitment team scouring for suitable alternatives.

Right-back understudy Ben Johnson is out of contract at the end of the season, with Thilo Kehrer also available for a move, and Aaron Cresswell also appears to be nearing the end of his West Ham career after 10 years of