There is a buzz around West Ham United - and rightly so, as the Hammers push for Champions League qualification under progressive manager Slaven Bilic.

The London club look set to move out of the shadows of their many cross-city rivals and firmly into the spotlight with a switch to the Olympic Stadium this summer, while the club’s owners possess grand plans and lofty ambitions beyond this term’s top-six push.

West Ham are expected to be bullish in the transfer window this summer and their main priority is said to be a new marquee striker to fire the club into a new era.

A host of players from across the continent have been linked with the Clarets, with the most high profile being Zlatan Ibrahimovic and promising Belgian Michy Batshuayi.

Despite both surely being exciting options for West Ham, here are FIVE potential alternatives for Bilic and his men to consider...

Christian Benteke

A sensation at Aston Villa, Benteke’s impact and influence while at the Midlands side has been painstakingly apparent this season as the historic club flounder and are set for relegation.

However, since moving to Liverpool last summer in a £32.5 million deal, the Belgium international has failed to capture his best form.

A managerial change, with Jurgen Klopp replacing Brendan Rodgers, has seen Benteke fall down the pecking order and as the German looks to mould his Reds squad this summer, the former Villa man could well be deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield.

Wilfried Bony

Another powerful centre forward to excel at a mid-range side only to see opportunities limited at one of the elite clubs, Bony looks destined for a move away from Manchester City this summer.

The arrival of Pep Guardiola at the Etiahd Stadium will surely be followed by a host of new players, with the Ivorian potentially departing to make space in the squad and balance the books to some degree.

Bony proved during his time with Swansea that he has all the attributes to score in the English top flight on a regular basis, so signing the African could well be a masterstroke by West Ham.

Loic Remy

Not as confronting as the prior two options, Remy would offer a different threat with his pace, movement and ability on the deck.

The France international showed his calibre at both QPR and Newcastle but has become something of a forgotten man at Chelsea.

With Remy set to potentially be available at a cut-price rate, the former Marseille star could well be the signing of the summer if the Hammers swoop.

Alexandre Lacazette

One of Europe’s hottest properties, signing Lacazette would be a real statement of intent by the London club.

Another goal-laden season at Lyon has bolstered the Frenchman’s reputation further and it looks increasingly likely that the versatile attacker will end up in one of Europe’s major leagues come the start of next season.

Although other big-name clubs are said to be circling, West Ham would surely be an appealing option for Lacazette and one to take him to the next level of his career.

Edin Dzeko

Despite boasting a fine record of goals when given the chance to play, the big Bosnian has had the same problem this season at Roma that he encountered at Manchester City - not being an automatic first-choice.

A Bundesliga winner with Wolfsburg and a striker that has proven that he knows where the back of the net is, buying Dzeko and building an attack to feed him chances could be a potent option for the Hammers.

With his future up in the air and a prior knowledge of the English game, the former City striker would be a predator of note for West Ham.