West Ham United have endured a poor season by their recent standards, with the pressure ramping up on David Moyes with each passing game week.

The Scotsman invested heavily in the summer, and yet finds his team level at the foot of the Premier League table alongside his former club Everton, who they play at the weekend.

In a game that promises to be riddled with confidence-lacking players, there is little to suggest it will be a high scorer as both sides have only mustered 15 goals from 19 league games.

This number is particularly damning considering the £35.5m investment made in the last transfer window to secure a reliable source of goals, as Gianluca Scamacca was recruited as the successor and heir to Michail Antonio's role.

The Italian had bagged 16 goals last season, and at 23 years old seemed poised only to improve when surrounded by a higher calibre of players.

However, with just three league goals to note this season, it is fair to say that it has been an unsuccessful venture thus far.

Moyes clearly agrees with this notion, as evidenced in their newfound pursuit of Troyes striker Mama Balde.

As reported yesterday afternoon, the Hammers have an eye on the Guinea-Bassau international who is valued at €15m (£13m).

The experience of the 27-year-old could prove vital in surviving the drop, with guaranteed goals from a marksman who has been notching in various leagues across Europe for many years now.

This season has arguably been his most prolific, as he already boasts eight goals and four assists in 17 Ligue 1 games.

He pairs this with a fine work rate and a sensational ability with the ball at his feet, outlined in the fact that he ranks in the top 7% for dribbles completed and the top 2% for tackles completed when compared with other forwards in Europe.

His performances have garnered huge praise, with his teammate Tristan Dingomé claiming:

"You just have to look at his performances, you can see he's become very effective," before further adding: "He's really strong and is the archetype of the modern striker."

With a willingness to run and the quality to score, Balde seems like the perfect man to have in your corner during a relegation scrap. At the very least he would mark an upgrade on the toothless Scamacca, who clearly needs more time before he can hit his true stride.