West Ham ‘no closer to signing striker’ after ENDING interest in Sevilla star Youssef En-Nesyri

West Ham have ENDED their pursuit of Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri, talkSPORT understands.

The Hammers had a £27million bid for the forward rejected last week, with Sevilla upping their demands to £35m.

3

But the London club want to avoid making the same mistake they made with Sebastien Haller and will NOT pay over the odds for their next frontman.

West Ham are scouring the market for a new centre-forward after cutting their losses with Haller and selling him to Ajax earlier this month - for less than half the price they paid for him!

The Premier League side want to replace the Ivory Coast international - whom they signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for £45m 18 months ago, selling him for just £20m - and have been linked with a keen interest in En-Nesyri.

The Hammers’ first approach for the 23-year-old Moroccan, who has scored 13 goals in 26 games for Sevilla this season, was rejected.

Reports in Spain have claimed the Premier League side are currently preparing an improved bid.

3

3

But, according to talkSPORT sources, West Ham have now dropped their interest and have moved on to other targets.

Transfer insider Alex Crook joined Thursday’s White and Jordan show to bring us the latest news and gossip from the January transfer window, and he said: “I’m not sure West Ham are any closer to signing a new striker, although I do fully expect them to bring in someone before the window closes.

“We know one of their targets was Youssef En-Nesyri of Sevilla; West Ham had a £27m bid rejected last week and they’re now being told to cough up £35m.

“My understanding is that interest will not be pursued.

“West Ham are very keen not to have a repeat of the Sebastien Haller situation where they feel they paid over the odds and had their fingers burned.”

Crook did however have news of another potential target for West Ham, with claims David Moyes is looking to be reunited with one of his former Sunderland players at the London Stadium.

“One other possible target could be former Sunderland striker Josh Maja,” added Crook.

“You may remember him, he was one of the stars of the Sunderland ‘Til I Die documentary when he was actually trying to force a move to Bordeaux.

“Maybe he now wants to come back to England. He was born in London, has links with David Moyes from that time in Sunderland and would be a much cheaper option.

“One to keep an eye on, that one.”