West Ham United would be wise to step aside and allow one truly outstanding young player to join Newcastle United this January, rather than fighting a battle that may ultimately harm their long-term future. As uncomfortable as that idea may sound to some supporters, the current reality facing the club demands clear thinking rather than emotional decisions.
Right now, West Ham and Newcastle are moving in very different directions. Newcastle are building toward sustained progress, while West Ham are locked in a grim fight for survival.
With the Hammers sitting seven points away from safety, the pressure is intense and the margin for error is small. Every decision made in this transfer window could have serious consequences for the months and even years ahead.
January is expected to be busy for both clubs, but busy does not always mean smart. Many West Ham fans are calling for bold moves and statement signings to try to save the season. That reaction is understandable.
When relegation fears creep in, the instinct is to spend and spend quickly. However, history shows that throwing money around in January often creates bigger problems later on, especially when the foundations of the team are already unstable.
One name now heavily linked with both West Ham and Newcastle is Charlie Cresswell. Newcastle are reportedly pushing to sign the Toulouse defender this month, and West Ham have also been monitoring him closely.
There is no doubt about Cresswell’s quality. He is an exceptional young centre-back with a bright future ahead of him. Strong, dominant in the air, aggressive in the tackle and calm on the ball, he ticks many boxes for a modern defender.
This season alone, Cresswell has been one of Toulouse’s standout performers in Ligue 1. Across his appearances, he has consistently shown excellent defensive awareness, strong positioning and the ability to play out from the back.
His numbers back that up. He averages solid tackles and interceptions, clears his lines effectively and blocks shots with confidence. On top of that, his passing accuracy is impressive, showing that he is comfortable building play rather than simply defending deep.
For a club in a stable position, signing a player like Cresswell would be a smart investment. But for West Ham, timing matters just as much as talent. The harsh truth is that even a defender as gifted as Cresswell is not going to single-handedly keep the club in the Premier League if the wider problems remain unsolved. One player cannot fix a team that is struggling for confidence, consistency and direction.
That is why West Ham should resist the temptation to get dragged into a bidding war with Newcastle. Financially, the club must start thinking beyond this season. Relegation is becoming a real possibility, and while that would be painful, it would not necessarily be the end of the world. In fact, it could provide an opportunity to reset, rebalance the squad and rebuild with a clearer vision.
If relegation does happen, financial adjustments will be unavoidable. Those adjustments should begin now, not later. Spending significant money in January to chase survival, only to still go down, would leave West Ham in a far weaker position next season. It would be money spent without long-term benefit, and history shows how damaging that approach can be.
Cresswell is the right type of player for West Ham, but at the wrong moment. He would improve the defence, but he would not perform miracles. Newcastle, on the other hand, are in a position where they can offer him stability, ambition and a clearer pathway toward success. If both clubs are interested, it is obvious which project will appeal more to a young, ambitious defender looking to develop his career.
Allowing Newcastle a clear run at Cresswell does not mean giving up. It means choosing a smarter path. West Ham could instead look to promote young players from within, give minutes to emerging talents, or target experienced defenders available at a lower cost in the summer. Those options make far more sense when planning for a possible rebuild.
There are also other links that appear more realistic and better timed for West Ham, such as interest in proven Premier League defenders who could offer leadership without a heavy transfer fee. Those types of deals fit a club that needs stability rather than another long-term project player.
In the end, football decisions must be made with cold logic, not emotion. Charlie Cresswell is a brilliant footballer with a huge future, but West Ham’s priority right now should be survival planning, financial balance and long-term structure. Letting Newcastle move ahead for Cresswell could actually be the most responsible decision the club makes this January.
