- The Ivorian has had an outstanding first half of the season with nine goals
- West Ham searched for the striker several times in November and December
- Hear It's all starting! Why Manchester United might have to sell Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho
West Ham have been keeping a close eye on Nice's Evann Guessand as they step up their search for a striker mid-season.
He was scouted several times in November and December before injuries to Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug and remains high on the options list.
French-born Ivory Coast international Guessand has enjoyed an excellent first half of the season with nine goals, including three in his last four games.
French sports newspaper L'Equipe selected him in its team of the season so far.
However, getting him out of Nice mid-season will not be easy. They are fighting for the Champions League places and he is the best striker on the team.
The 23-year-old signed a new long-term contract in August that ties him to the club until 2028, although offers of more than £20m would test his resolve.
West Ham eyeing Nice's Evann Guessand as they step up search for striker
The Hammers scouted the Ivorian striker (centre) several times in November and December.
Summer signing Niclas Fullkrug will be ruled out for months with a hamstring injury
Bournemouth and Tottenham have also shown interest in Guessand as they look to improve their attacking options in January.
“It's fair to say it's important,” said West Ham boss Graham Potter of Fullkrug. “When a player stops like that, you know something pretty serious has happened.
'It's still early in terms of full diagnosis, but still significant – several weeks. Months? A number of weeks probably adds up to months, yes. So yes, I would say that.
'Crysencio felt something after about 35 minutes and finished the first half, but probably not 100 percent. “It’s a question of uncertainty, but it probably errs toward the negative at this point, but we’ll see.”