Sunday 17 April 2016 13:24, UK
"We have a list of forwards all over Europe and most of our money will go into signing one."
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan often speaks freely on transfer matters, and his statement above makes clear the club's summer recruitment plan.
Ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium, Slaven Bilic's side have been linked with a big-money move for a new striker, and the West Ham boss reportedly has £20m available to make it happen.
In recent seasons they've shopped in Turkey, Mexico and the French second division, but if the gossip pages are anything to go by, this summer could be very different.
They have been linked with some of European football's best and brightest, so we take a look at five forwards who could be wearing West Ham colours next season…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - PSG
The PSG striker remains the dream target - the only problem is, West Ham find themselves towards the back of a long line.
They have been keen to talk up their interest, with Sullivan admitting: "I'd love to sign Ibrahimovic, but whether he'd come I don't know."
Bilic was a little more reserved, writing in his Evening Standard column: "We are ambitious and determined to progress, but to be realistic, we are not yet a club who those kind of players would consider."
Ibrahimovic is expected to leave PSG when his contract expires this summer, and Sky Sports News HQ understands Man Utd could be his destination if Louis van Gaal departs.
But there's still hope for West Ham fans - Swedish journalist Olof Lundh believes Ibrahimovic, having played in Paris, Milan and Barcelona, would prefer a move to London over Manchester.
Christian Benteke - Liverpool
Things haven't gone to plan for Benteke at Liverpool. He's made more Premier League substitute appearances than starts, and has just eight goals in his maiden campaign to date.
His Belgium national team colleague Divock Origi has leapfrogged him in the pecking order, leaving Benteke, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury, looking on from the end of the bench.
Sullivan admits West Ham "admire" the forward, but his wages could be a problem, while Sky Sports reported in March that they were interested.
For his part, Benteke insists he's "really happy" at Liverpool, but considering the success Andy Carroll has enjoyed in recent weeks, it's easy to see the striker's appeal to West Ham chiefs.
Alexandre Lacazette - Lyon
He signed a new Lyon contract last summer, but Lacazette has since revealed he has an understanding with club president Jean-Michel Aulas that allows him to leave after this season if the right offer comes in.
Sky Sports reported in March that West Ham were interested, he reportedly turned down Newcastle in January, while Arsenal and Tottenham have all been linked, but the forward has conditions on a move. No 1, his new team must be playing Champions League football, and No 2, they "can't play kick and rush".
The second criteria shouldn't be a problem, not with former Ligue 1 star Dimitri Payet pulling the strings, but Champions League qualification may be just beyond the Hammers this season.
Wilfried Bony - Man City
At the turn of the year, Wilfried Bony told Sky Sports no player is happy sitting on the bench. Fast forward four months, and the Ivorian's mood can't have improved.
He has started just 17 matches for City in all competitions this season, playing a cumulative total of 280 minutes of football from a possible 2070 in 2016.
West Ham "had Bony bought for £8m and £40,000-a-week" in 2013, according to Sullivan, only to watch him join Swansea instead.
He's likely to cost much more now, and like Benteke, meeting his wage demands could be an issue for a club unlikely to be playing Champions League football.
Despite his struggles at Man City, he's still the same striker who terrorised Premier League defences in south Wales and the Daily Mirror believe he remains a West Ham target.
Michy Batshuayi - Marseille
The lesser-known of the five targets, Batshuayi is another highly-rated Belgian striker. The Marseille forward is reportedly available, but Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham have all been mentioned, while West Ham have the 22-year-old among their top targets, as reported by Sky Sports in March.
Once again, Champions League football could be a clincher, but West Ham hold a trump card. Payet has been many things this season, most of them brilliant, but could be become chief recruiter too?
He is good pals with Batshuayi from their season together in Provence, and the Daily Telegraph report Payet is selling his former team-mate on life in east London.
Impressive performances in Ligue 1 are no guarantee of Premier League success, just look at Angel Di Maria, but Batshuayi's 14 league goals and nine assists for a struggling Marseille has turned heads.
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