West Ham United’s aspirations for a January signing seem to have hit a roadblock, especially concerning the potential arrival of Roberto Firmino.

The January transfer window holds significant importance for West Ham, particularly in the quest for a new forward to fill the void left by the absence of Mohammed Kudus due to AFCON and the injured Michail Antonio.

One name that surfaced in the transfer buzz was former Liverpool sensation Roberto Firmino, touted as a potential option for the East London club. However, the recent developments suggest this prospect may already be off the table.

Securing Firmino would have been a significant coup, considering his prowess and experience. His addition would have significantly bolstered the attacking lineup alongside Lucas Paqueta, Kudus, and Jarrod Bowen. Yet, it appears this possibility won’t materialize.

Reportedly, The Sun revealed that Firmino is demanding an exorbitant £300,000-per-week wage demand to depart Al-Ahli this winter. While his recent performance record in Saudi Arabia comprises three goals and three assists in 19 games, his impressive track record at Liverpool speaks volumes about his quality.

Agents seem to be exploring options for Firmino’s return to England, with West Ham supposedly among the interested parties. Nevertheless, it’s improbable that West Ham will entertain the thought of breaking their wage structure, especially considering that Paqueta currently holds the top spot as the highest earner at £150,000-per-week (Spotrac).

Therefore, it appears that West Ham’s dream of securing Firmino’s services in January has already hit a dead end due to the astronomical wage demands, halting any potential move before it could gain momentum.