Reports of Hammers interest in defenders continue to emerge despite the club’s continued assurances that a striker is their sole interest this summer apart from a wide and speedy midfielder.

Our supposed interest in Sunderland defender Lamine Kone. was first reported in November of last year ahead of the club buying Jose Fonte and has once again been raised over recent days.

It is not true with a club source telling ClaretandHugh: “We have no money for defenders. That is simply not on our radar at all.”

The new reports claim the relegated Black Cats want £15million for the 28-year-old centre-back but that the Hammers believe a deal could be agreed at around £10million.

The Hammers also have Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna, James Collins, Fonte at the back and with Declan Rice on his way through, are well served at the back.

With Fonte on board a move for Kone was never on and the club will continue it’s search for a striker ith all urgency.