Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy remains “a top target” for West Ham, according to EXWHUEmployee.

The insider source says that technical director Tim Steidten has been working hard to get the transfer finalised but there are a number of factors that make any deal complicated:

“Serhou Guirassy is still a top target for the club this January. Tim Steidten has worked on this potential deal, although I must stress there are many others keen on the player.”

“Not only has his performances attracted other top clubs to look at the player, but the fact he’s got a £15m release clause makes the competition for his signature fierce.”

“Another stumbling block is the player is part of the Guinea side at the AFCON, although they are not expected to advance far due to a tough group they are in.”

Who are the other “top clubs” that are interested in signing Guirassy?

It is believed that Manchester United, Newcastle and Bayern Munich are among those who are weighing up whether to make a move for the Guinean international during the January transfer window.

The release clause makes him an attractive target, even more so when you consider his great form for Stuttgart this season, which has seen him score 19 goals in just 16 appearances.

Are West Ham looking at alternatives?

If the Irons do lose out to another team for Guirassy, they appear to have put some contingency plans in place, with other strikers having been looked at.

Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke has been on the London club’s radar for quite some time but his asking price is expected to have skyrocketed due to his excellent form this campaign. Steidten is also said to have kept tabs on Feyenoord’s  Santiago Gimenez.

Loan deals for the likes of RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner, Paris Saint-Germain’s Hugo Ekitike or Chelsea’s Armando Broja could be looked at as well.