West Ham United transfer news as Sky Sports update emerges on pursuit of Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy

German Bundesliga outfit VfB Stuttgart are preparing for the exit of West Ham United-linked striker Serhou Guirassy in the January transfer window, according to Sky Sports Germany.

The news outlet shared on 19 December that there is an exit clause in Guirassy's contract for which he can leave for 20 million euros (£17m) should he wish to leave, with the Guinea international long being linked with West Ham (90Min, 18 December).

Sky Germany also shares that interest in Guirassy has not yet become particularly concrete but Stuttgart are preparing for his departure in January with their eye already on several replacements.

Go for it?

Given the striker’s stunning form, the lengthy interest is unsurprising, with several European powerhouses seemingly also keen on his services.

Guirassy's exit clause of £17m seems an easy reach for several of Europe's top sides and such a figure will certainly have alerted West Ham United too who are desperate for a striker right now and have long been keeping an eye of Guirassy's development.

16 Bundesliga goals in 13 games is incredible from the Guinea international and his record has only been blighted by the fact that Bayern Munich hitman and England superstar Harry Kane has bagged four goals more.

There will undoubtedly be a battle for his services next month, and while Stuttgart will be doing their utmost to keep hold of him, they will likely be unable to prevent him from making a switch to the English top-flight or another top club across Europe’s leading leagues.

It's no wonder they have already started identifying possible replacements according to Sky Germany but it seems as if West Ham United have been given a clear run at him.

Michail Antonio and Danny Ings have simply failed to set the London Stadium alight this season while Divin Mubama simply isn't ready to lead the line just as yet and if David Moyes is to take the club to that next level, a regular goal-getter is paramount.

Whether the Hammers will have the necessary funds to match Guirassy's exit clause remains uncertain but they do have a number of marketable assets to sell in order to fund a possible January move.

In other West Ham news, a journalist has made a prediction over Kudus’ future after what he saw at the weekend.