West Ham 'interested in Montpellier striker Gaetan Laborde'

West Ham are interested in signing Montpellier's Gaetan Laborde before the transfer window closes as David Moyes desperately tries to bring in a striker.

The Hammers have been left short up front with Michail Antonio now their only recognised senior striker following Sebastien Haller's departure to Ajax earlier this month.

They have been linked with several forwards in recent weeks and now it is claimed they are considering a move for Laborde.

According to Le10 Sport, the Hammers have been watching him for several months and have been impressed by his performances.

Laborde has scored six goals and provided six assists in 21 Ligue 1 games this season, forming a devastating partnership with team-mate Andy Delort.

However, it is claimed Montpellier have set a strict deadline of Friday (January 29) to get a deal done so negotiations do not edge closer to Monday's deadline day.

If West Ham do not submit a bid by then, Montpellier will refuse to do business.

Laborde is among a number of striker targets for West Ham, with fellow Ligue 1 player Boulaye Dia of Reims another.

Dia had been top scorer in Ligue 1 until Kylian Mbappe recently overtook him and he has netted 12 goals in 19 games so far this season.

RB Leipzig's Hwang Hee-chan is another striker under consideration by Moyes as the clock ticks down on the transfer window.

Meanwhile, West Ham are going to convert Said Benrahma’s loan from Brentford into a permanent move to pave the way for Jesse Lingard's arrival from Manchester United.

The deal had been set for the end of the season, but will now be brought forward with a fee of around £20million, plus £5m in add ons, and is likely to be paid in instalments.

Once Benrahma’s deal is made permanent, West Ham will free up a domestic loan space for Lingard, who is keen to join David Moyes' in-form side.

Both domestic loan slots are currently taken, with Watford defender Craig Dawson and Benrahma currently blocking a temporary move for Lingard.