West Ham United have opened negotiations with Czech club Viktoria Plzeň by submitting an initial bid of €6.5 million for 22-year-old Nigerian forward Rafiu Durosinmi as the January 2026 transfer window gets underway.
The offer, however, has been swiftly rejected by the Czech side, who value their prolific marksman at around €14 million. With Durosinmi’s contract set to expire at the end of the current season and the player having publicly expressed a desire to move, Viktoria Plzeň face pressure to secure a fee rather than risk losing him for nothing in the summer.
West Ham’s pursuit comes at a critical juncture in their Premier League campaign. After 19 matches, the Hammers find themselves in 18th position, four points from safety, having scored just 21 goals – one of the lowest tallies in the division – while conceding 38. Under manager Nuno Espírito Santo, the east London club have struggled for consistency in attack despite the presence of senior strikers Niclas Füllkrug and Callum Wilson. The lack of depth and clinical finishing in the final third has prompted the hierarchy to prioritise reinforcement upfront during this window.
Durosinmi has emerged as a prime target due to his impressive form in the Czech Fortuna Liga. Since joining Viktoria Plzeň in 2023 for a modest €850,000 from domestic rivals Karviná, the young Nigerian has developed into one of the league’s most dangerous forwards. This season alone, he has netted 13 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions, contributing significantly to Plzeň’s domestic and European efforts. His current market value, according to widely referenced platforms, stands at a career-high €7.5 million, reflecting the sharp rise in his stock.
The striker’s physical presence, pace, and eye for goal have drawn attention from several European clubs over the past year, but West Ham appear to have moved first with a concrete offer. Reports indicate that the initial €6.5 million bid fell well short of Plzeň’s expectations, leading to an immediate rejection. Nevertheless, the Czech champions are in a vulnerable negotiating position. With only months remaining on Durosinmi’s deal and the player keen on a new challenge, they may be forced to lower their demands to avoid losing a player whose value has multiplied nearly nine-fold since his arrival.
For West Ham, securing Durosinmi quickly would allow immediate integration into the squad, providing much-needed competition and firepower as they battle relegation. Premier League clubs facing the drop often turn to the January window for decisive additions, and a player of Durosinmi’s profile – young, hungry, and already proven at a competitive level – fits the club’s strategy of blending experience with emerging talent.
Durosinmi’s journey to this point underscores his rapid progress. Born in Lagos in 2003, he began his professional career in Nigeria before moving to the Czech Republic, where he first caught the eye with Karviná and then Viktoria Plzeň. His performances have also earned him call-ups to Nigeria’s youth setups, positioning him as one of the country’s promising attacking talents alongside established Super Eagles stars.
Whether West Ham return with an improved offer remains to be seen, but the dynamics of the situation an expiring contract, a motivated player, and a selling club keen to maximise return suggest negotiations could advance swiftly.
