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Burnley striker move could split Millwall fans, West Ham hunt forward
West Ham United are weighing a controversial swoop for Burnley's Zian Flemming as they hunt a new centre‑forward, a move that could split Millwall supporters and reshape the club's attack after relegation.
Action images By  James Pennington Published Aug 12, 2026, 7:00 AM GMT+1. James is a Stoke City fan, born and raised in Stoke-on-Trent, and he graduated from Leeds Beckett University in 2025 with a 1:1 (Hons) in Sports Journalism before beginning his journalism career with Football League World. Sign in to your Football League World account Add Us Like Like follow Follow followed Followed Thread Log in Here, then Try something different: Show me the facts, Explain it like I’m 5, and Give me a lighthearted recap.
Squad overhaul after relegation
West Ham have retained a large bulk of their squad after dropping to the Championship for the first time in over 14 years, and head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is keen to strengthen the side ahead of their upcoming clash with Burnley.
The club has already generated more than £150 million from player sales this summer, including Mateus Fernandes for £85 million, Crysencio Summerville for £60 million and Freddie Potts for £10 million.
Forward market and controversial target
In the forward department, Irish striker Troy Parrott is heavily courted and former Leicester striker Jamie Vardy has been linked with a move to the London Stadium.
Nevertheless, Nuno’s most intriguing option may be a controversial switch for Burnley’s Dutch forward Zian Flemming, a player whose acquisition could upset multiple fanbases.
Flemming, 28, scored double‑digits for the Clarets last season and netted the equaliser in their 1‑1 League Cup draw with Notts County, before joining Burnley on loan in 2024 with a £7 million obligation to buy that was triggered last summer.
He has attracted interest from Brentford and Leeds United, but Burnley have him under contract until the summer of 2029 and are reluctant to sell to a promotion rival.
Rivalry implications
Millwall, where Flemming first arrived in England in 2022 and became a popular figure, would see a bitter pill in seeing him move to their London rivals West Ham.
Securing the Dutch striker would allow the Hammers to deliver a double blow to two Championship opponents, a scenario Nuno Espirito Santo would be hard‑pressed to ignore.