The Insider

With the first-team squad set to return for the start of pre-season training at the start of July, speculation over which players will be arriving at West Ham United is growing stronger by the day.


The Hammers have been busy in the transfer market once again and beat off interest from a number of top clubs to secure the signing of highly-rated winger Sofiane Feghouli this week.


After bringing in Norway international Havard Nordtveit, the Club's Board are determined to make the squad even stronger and are ready to make more new signings over the next two months.


Slaven Bilic has made it clear once again that the Club are targeting a striker who can score 20 goals-a-season and every effort is being made to bring in a top-class forward.


Several big names including Alexandre Lacazette, Michy Batshuayi, Christian Benteke and Wilfried Bony have all been linked with the Hammers in recent weeks.

The big stories this week have surrounded a move for Lyon's Lacazette, with reports suggesting that the Hammers could even pull out of a move to ensure Dimitri Payet remains the star man at the Club.


My sources have told me that meetings have taken place and he remains a major target.


But my understanding is that negotiations have hit a stalemate and there is not much chance of the French forward making a move to West Ham as things stand.


I have been told that the Club have a number of targets and they will continue to work hard behind the scenes as they look to bring a prolific forward into the club.


It is my understanding that there have not been any developments on other forwards this week as a number of the top strikers in Europe are simply not for sale.


There have also been reports in the last 24 hours suggesting that West Ham have made a second bid for Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie.


My sources have told me this is not the case and the Hammers have not offered £8million for the Scotland international.


The Insider will have more news over possible arrivals and departures from the Club in the next 48 hours so stay tuned to whufc.com for all the latest developments.


The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United