Steve Sidwell: West Ham need Armando Broja in January

West Ham should turn their attentions to Southampton loanee Armando Broja to solve their long-running hunt for a striker, according to Steve Sidwell.

David Moyes is reported to have made Blackburn Rovers goalscorer Ben Brereton-Diaz his priority target during the January transfer window (Express), as Michail Antonio is the only designated forward at that the club.

But speaking to BT Sport on Wednesday, ex-Brighton and Reading midfielder Sidwell said, as quoted by Football London: "I like Broja. Someone young, hungry. I think he’ll be there.

"[He'll] learn quickly, learn his ropes as well. Wouldn’t mind playing a second part to Antonio and getting his chance. Someone of that ilk, young and hungry."

In demand

West Ham need support in the attacking department in order to sustain their challenge for a Champions League place this season.

Antonio is a trusty performer, and he is being ably supported by Jarrod Bowen currently, but other options such as the expensive but disappointing Nikola Vlasic and the rarely-spotted Andriy Yarmolenko cannot be relied upon.

It was of course hoped that Sebastien Haller would be the main threat up front and it will not have escaped Hammers fans' notice that he is now breaking Champions League records at Ajax after the club made a loss of close to half when his big money signing did not prove to be a success in East London.

So Moyes is again looking for support and is believed to be focusing on £25million-rated Brereton-Diaz in the Championship.

But Chelsea's Broja may be a more sensible option, as he is currently proving he is capable of operating in the Premier League while on loan at Southampton.

He has been such a success at St Mary's that Ralf Hasenhuttl is currently trying to sign the player described as "unique" on a permanent deal (The Athletic).

Therefore if the Irons want to get involved before it is too late they will have to move fast for a man that is tipped for big things.

In other West Ham news, this pundit tips the club for the Champions League if they make this change.