A manager who was linked with the Hammers has made a brutally honest admission about the future of a striker Tim Steidten wants at West Ham.
As any West Ham fans to list the priority positions that need strengthening this summer and most will give the same answer.
The Hammers desperately need to sign a bona fide top quality striker as well as two centre-backs.
That’s just for starters in a major rebuild requiring at least eight to 10 signings.
Because incoming new boss Julen Lopetegui will inherit a squad of just 16 senior players.
Thankfully technical director Tim Steidten and Lopetegui have already been working on targets behind the scenes.
Earlier this week it was reported that Steidten is focusing on three priority transfers – a striker and two central defenders.
So the German and new boss are clearly in tune with what most fans are thinking.
West Ham have been linked with a number of players who were also said to be interesting Steidten back in January.
Steidten and Lopetegui working on big Hammers rebuild
David Moyes’ resistance to do any of those deals – and insistence on signing Kalvin Phillips – were big factors in David Sullivan deciding to part ways with the Scot.
So we should not be too surprised that Steidten is being linked with a number of his January targets again ahead of the summer window.
Fans following the early whirring of the transfer rumour mill will note fresh links to the likes of Jack Clarke, Steven Bergwijn, Wilfried Zaha, Marcus Edwards, Youssef En-Nesyri and others.
One player heavily linked with the Hammers in the last window was Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy.
In the end Guirassy, who has a bargain £17m release clause in his contract, remained with Stuttgart.
But a report from German media outlet Bild last month claimed West Ham have been ‘knocking on the door’ about a summer deal for Guirassy.
The 28-year-old has scored a stunning 29 goals and laid on two assists in just 26 starts to help Stuttgart finish second behind Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Guirassy scored a brace as Stuttgart beat Borussia Monchengladbach 4-0 in the season finale on Saturday.
Now all attentions will turn to his future.
And there is real encouragement from his boss Sebastien Hoeness, who was reportedly on West Ham’s managerial shortlist before he committed his future to Stuttgart.
Hoeness brutally honest about Guirassy future
The manager has been brutally honest about the future of the striker Steidtan wants at West Ham.
Hoeness has been asked whether he can hold on to Guirassy given the striker’s cheap release clause and interest from the likes of the Hammers.
And while the young manager is clearly hoping to keep him, he says he can’t make any guarantees.
Although he hopes the striker thinks long and hard and only considers leaving if it is for one of the top clubs in Europe.
“I have no reason to think that he will play his last game for us,” Hoeness told the German press, as reported by GFNG.
“I’m also not naïve to know that there are probably one or two other interested parties.
“As in the last transfer periods before: I know that he feels super comfortable and it is very, very well considering whether he will take this step.
“I also find it legitimate when he does it when there is something special on the table. I am thinking of the biggest clubs in Europe.
‘I’m not naive’
“And if they knock, which I can well imagine, then he has to think about it. It would be very difficult for him, which is why the decision has not yet been made.
“We have to wait and see. I’m not that negative – without having received a hint.”
Guirassy could bet he focal point West Ham so desperately need.
He is perhaps slightly older than the players the Hammers are looking to target under Steidten.
But experience will be needed in the squad, especially in key positions such as up front.
Certainly one to watch.
And you can watch Guirassy in action in the video below