West Ham eye Evann Guessand transfer swoop amid £20m bid reveal

West Ham United are keeping tabs on Evann Guessand at Nice as they intensify their efforts to sign a new striker this month, according to the Daily Mail.

The newspaper reported via their website on 14 January that the Irons scouted the 23-year-old several times in November and December and have him as a "prominent" name on their shortlist as they look to cope with Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug's long-term absences.

Luring Guessand away from Nice midway through the season may prove difficult though, with offers of at least £20million needed to test the Ligue 1 club's resolve.

Graham Potter must push forward with Evann Guessand signing at West Ham

Guessand has been in red-hot form for Nice this season and it is no surprise that West Ham scouted him multiple times in the last two months.

The Ivory Coast international has bagged eight goals and four assists in 17 Ligue 1 appearances this season while netting another in the UEFA Europa League.

For context, West Ham strikers Antonio, Fullkrug and Danny Ings have scored four league goals between them this season.

Therefore, there is no doubt that Graham Potter would benefit from someone like Guessand in his ranks as he looks to steer the East London outfit away from the relegation zone in the second half of the season.

The centre-forward, though, is contracted to Nice until 2028, having only signed a new contract in August.

However, if £20m is enough to persuade the French club to sell, Potter must convince the Hammers hierarchy to shell out that sum as the Ivorian could lead their line for the years to come.

In other West Ham news, Potter is in a "tough" spot ahead of Fulham's trip to the London Stadium.

For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.