Pellegrini has lengthy list of transfer targets

Manuel Pellegrini has drawn up a list of potential replacements strikers in excess of ten should Marko Arnautovic leave in the January transfer window claim the London Standard 

The manager is understandably keeping the identities of the targets under wraps but that has not stopped intense speculation over the past few days linking a number of forwards to West Ham.

Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson has been mentioned a number of times with his club apparently valuing at £75m but another report claiming West Ham could make a bid of around £45m. The 26-year old’s agent is Will Salthouse who has strong links with the Hammers.

Maxi Gomez from Celta de Vigo has been reported to be of interest too with a release clause of £44m with West Ham representatives flying out to Spain.

Timo Werner from  RB Leipzig is another name rumoured. The 22-year-old is reported to wanted by West Ham, Liverpool and Spurs and the young striker is said to be holding out from signing a new contract worth £100,000 per week with his club valuing him at £57m.

Krzysztof Pitek from Genoa is the latest name to be linked today with reports of a £31m rejected bid, insiders say there was no bid but there could still be interest in this 23-year-old.

Sevilla striker Wissam Ben Yedder is another name reported as a potential target for West Ham this month. he is claimed to have a release clause of £27m from Sevilla.

Edin Dzeko currently with Roma is a name that has been predictably linked because of his connection with Pellegrini. He was linked with West Ham back in October with the manager saying there was no interest in the 32-year-old at the current time.

The possibility of landing Michy Batshuayi is not over according to one report today as loan move to Monaco stalled with West Ham, Everton and Fiorentina all said to be interested in competing with Monaco for a loan. Chelsea recently cancelled his loan with Valencia recalling him.

Another Chelsea name linked with West Ham this evening is Olivier Giroud who is out of contract this summer.

Other names banded around as potential targets that could be on the list are Nicholas Pepe from Lille, Moussa Marega from Porto, Alassane Plea from Borussia Monchengladbach, Kasper Dolberg from Ajax and Emiliano Sala from Nantes.

One former target who won’t be joining West Ham is Gabriel Barbosa who had been linked with the Hammers a few weeks ago. He has since joined Flamengo on loan but in reality, the Brazilain striker would have struggled to get a work permit to play in the Premier League.

Possibly the most bizarre rumour of a striker signing for West Ham is Marko Arnautovic.  Former West Ham player and coach Stuart Pearce told Sky Sports viewers last night that he thought that Arnie would not move to China and instead sign a new lucrative long term contract with Hammers.

What was set to be a very quiet transfer window now looks to be becoming very busy indeed!