West Ham United boss Nuno Espírito Santo is already having a major say on the club's incomings and outgoings, with the tactician making his mark yet again following a key transfer decision.

Nuno set to spearhead West Ham overhaul in East London

Almost immediately after replacing Graham Potter in late September, Nuno wasted no time at all in dropping his predecessor's vice-captain, James Ward-Prowse, from the Portuguese's first ever Hammers matchday squad to face Everton.

Nuno's decision to exclude Ward-Prowse from West Ham’s first-team raised eyebrows, but it was clear that the midfielder, despite being a mainstay figure in Potter's engine room, wasn't part of his long-term plans.

The 51-year-old had already axed Ward-Prowse once before, during the Englishman's loan spell at Nottingham Forest last season, where he sent him back to Rush Green midway through the campaign.

While the exact reasons behind his exclusion remain a mystery, it’s claimed that Nuno wants to prioritise energetic midfielders who can get about the pitch more tenaciously, with summer arrival Soungoutou Magassa immediately jumping into Ward-Prowse's place.

More key calls that Nuno will be forced to make surround the long-term future of Niclas Füllkrug and West Ham's striker options.

Fullkrug's recently sustained thigh problem is expected to keep him out for several weeks, and the German's injury woes are nothing new.

Since joining West Ham, he has struggled with recurring fitness problems — missing 28 games for West Ham and Germany combined last season alone. His return to the treatment table piles pressure on Nuno’s available attacking options, but January could come as a lifeline.

In light of Fullkrug's latest absence, there is growing speculation that West Ham will look to bring in a new striker during the winter window, and it is believed that the Hammers are targeting Man United striker Joshua Zirkzee as a potential option.

Interestingly, it is reported that Nuno could even solve their centre-forward crisis before the window reopens.

West Ham have apparently been offered the chance to sign former Forest striker Emmanuel Dennis by representatives (Hammers News), and according to The Mail, there's been tentative interest from their side too.

Nuno makes final decision on signing Emmanuel Dennis for West Ham

However, the outlet also reports that Nuno has blocked any West Ham move for Dennis, with the manager personally stepping in to stop the Nigerian from sealing a free transfer to the London Stadium.

The 27-year-old, who bagged 10 goals and six assists in 33 Premier League outings for Watford in 2021/2022, has failed to recapture that form ever since.

Dennis was on the books during Nuno's tenure at Forest, but was never used — instead being sent out on loan to Istanbul Basaksehir, Watford and Blackburn Rovers until his contract was terminated by mutual consent in August.

Orel Mangala called his ex-City Ground teammate a "magician" during their time together at the City Ground, but this opinion definitely isn't shared by Nuno, who'd rather wait until January to bring in a more elite-level number nine.

This is definitely the right call, and Irons supporters would arguably much rather see highly-promising young striker Callum Marshall get a good run out.

The Northern Irishman, who's made just two senior appearances for West Ham, scored for fun at youth level and already boasts 13 senior caps for his country.

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Huddersfield, where he bagged 10 goals in all competitions, and now could be Marshall's baptism of fire.