Striker warming to Hammers move

West Ham are focussing all their transfer market energies on French striker Alexandre Lacazette, who is moving closer to a deal with the club.

Slaven Bilic wants all transfer dealings done as soon as the transfer window opens and would love to see the player on board by then.

And reports from inside the Hammers camp are that a move could well and truly be on as Lacazette’s advisers warm to the idea of an East London move.

It was initially believed that the player had made Champions League football a condition but we understand some heavy persuasive tactics have been employed by our negotiators and that has started to focus minds on Lacazette’s advisers.

The massive challenge at the top inside one season of Slaven Bilic’s arrival, the prospect of a sold out 60,000 plus stadium and the promise of more top name arrivals is having a big effect.

Lacazette, 24, has even been linked with a move to Barcelona but would be playing second, third and fourth fiddle to Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

And the Hammers reckon they may now be leading the race for his signature ahead even of Spurs, who are already booked for the Champions League!

Slaven Bilic is broadly happy with his squad but definitely wants another right back as well as a truly top line front man.

And hugely ambitious owners David Sullivan and David Gold are prepared to go all the way in finding a striker who can deliver the Champions League dream next season.