West Ham United could list many issues that currently plague the club as factors in their disappointing season, which has left them loitering just one point above the relegation zone.

Before the enforced World Cup break, they were enduring a run of three straight Premier League defeats where they managed just one goal across them.

Whether that leaves this six-week hiatus from domestic football as a positive or a negative is David Moyes’ decision, however it is clear that a solution must be found to rectify their league position.

That could come in the form of January reinforcements, with one, in particular, looking to offer more time to their £35.5m summer signing.

Whilst Gianluca Scamacca has only scored twice in English football, the Scottish manager could turn to the MLS to snatch a rising star from under the noses of some Premier League powerhouses.

It was reported just last week that the Hammers, alongside Everton, had entered the race to sign Jhon Duran from Chicago Fire.

This was a race that already consisted of Manchester United and Liverpool, however.

What will give the Irons hope is the reported advice for the 18-year-old to join a ‘smaller club’ rather than become a small fish in a big pond, and with writer Bence Bocsak labelling him “one to watch”, it would be a shame for him to get lost in a squad where he has no standing.

In what has been his debut season in America, the Columbian youngster boasts an impressive eight goals and five assists.

This comes off the back of some fine performances in his homeland, where he had scored eight again and assisted three the season prior.

Clearly boasting incredible talent and physicality that allows him to compete far above his age, it is no surprise to see American football expert Tom Bogert label him a “wonderkid” in a tweet that also denoted expected offers of €10m (£8.5m).

Although their Italian frontman has a huge ceiling, outlined in last season’s 16-goal campaign, given his youth and the fee attached to his overseas move it is never easy to acclimatise.

That could allow Duran to step in and offer cover for the 23-year-old, relieving the burden somewhat. Then, should he take to the Premier League with more success, he could even force Scamacca to try and displace him from a starting spot.