We are now heading towards a critical summer as David Moyes bids to reinforce a Hammers squad he wants to see competing on the European stage as a regular feature of life at the club.

One thing is for sure, a striker is the first priority on his agenda with Mikey Antonio now at 32 in desperate need of competition to keep his sharpness .

And what ClaretandHugh knows for certain after a series of conversations with key inside sources is that three names are known to be on the manager’s list of front men.

However one important insider explained: “We have other names we are looking at but those three definitely interest us.”

(Photo by CARLOS COSTA / AFP) (Photo by CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images)

As we reported this morning Chelsea’s Armando Broja – currently on loan at Saints – is firmly on the list although we explained the club have to discover whether Chelsea will sell and for how much.

Given the circumstances at the Bridge  that one could be a tricky one to negotiate until new owners take over although he’s a player Moyes likes a lot.

The boss will also  aim at talking to Benfica where Darwin Nunes is still strongly fancied after talks broke down in the deadline day in January with the player disappearing as we expected a deal to be signed.

And finally we have been told that Villa’s Ollie Watkins is very much a target although manager Steven Gerrard is currently refusing to sell the forward who the club bought from Brentford.

Additionally,  it is being reported per Hammers News that ex assistant boss Alan Irvine has been spotted watching Blackburn’s Ben Brereton-Diaz who has scored 22 goals this season.

The Daily Star says that Irvine – now working in a consultancy role – has been watching the Chile international and that Rovers are aware they may have to sell him with a price of £15 million being quotes.

We can’t conform that as the same has been mentioned on various occasions elsewhere but the first  there are definitely known to be on the list of targets.