West Ham United have suffered a blow in their pursuit of OGC Nice’s Amine Gouiri.

What’s the word?

That’s according to French publication Foot Mercato, who have claimed that due to the exit of manager Christophe Galtier to PSG, they are unwilling to allow their star man to leave.

Both West Ham and Stade Rennais were noted as interested parties, with the Frenchman’s contract set to expire in 2024.

Only a fantastic offer could tempt Nice to part ways with Gouiri, reportedly in the range of £42m.

Imagine him & Scamacca

Having finally secured the signing of a striker after so long relying on Michail Antonio, David Moyes could be set to double up by swooping for Gouiri.

Gianluca Scamacca comes in highly rated, and his hulking 6'5 figure suggests he will act as a direct replacement for Antonio. This could therefore make the Frenchman the flair and finesse to the Italian’s fight.

Last season Gouiri bagged an impressive ten league goals whilst also assisting nine. He enjoyed spells both on the left and up-front and would add further attacking depth to an already stacked West Ham forward line.

The 22-year-old has plenty of room for improvement too, as it has long been believed that he would one day become a “star”, as Swaroo Swaminathan claimed.

This creativity and proficiency in front of goal, combined with the 16 league goals that Scamacca bagged last season, would add so much more to Moyes’ side.

His average SofaScore rating of 7.05 also ranked him fourth amongst his Nice teammates, and adding another level of attacking consistency would certainly be imperative if West Ham were to drive themselves up the table.

Likened to Paolo Dybala by FBref, Gouiri ranked in the 92nd percentile for assists per 90, as well as in the 95th percentile for progressive carries and the 93rd percentile. He is a driving creative force and as well as adding goals and assists, he is unlike anything already at the club.

Moyes must act quickly to ensure this opportunity to create a sensational attacking partnership does not pass, and the signing of the Frenchman could facilitate the explosion of the Italian.

AND in other news: West Ham could land Lingard alternative in swoop for 25 y/o gem who has an “X factor”.