Recent reports have seen West Ham United linked with a move for Stade Rennais forward, Gaetan Laborde, with the Hammers potentially set to make a late swoop for the Frenchman before the window closes.

Additional reports have suggested that the 28-year-old - who only joined his current side last summer - would potentially be available for a fee of around €25m (£21m), with the east Londoners having already done business with the Ligue 1 outfit to sign defender Nayef Aguerd.

That interest has certainly been warranted such has been the striker's impressive form in front of goal of late, having scored 20 goals and provided eight assists in 47 games in all competitions last term.

That haul included a tally of 15 league goals last season - the joint-sixth highest figure in the French top-flight - while he has already netted once in three league games this term, living up to his reputation as something of a "goal machine", in the words of journalist Clement Carpentier.

Also lauded for his "incredible mind" by agent Christophe Hutteau, the £35k-per-week gem has been a reliable goalscoring presence in his homeland in recent times, having previously scored 39 goals and provided 20 assists in 118 games for Montpellier.

Dubbed a "leader" by current Rennes boss Bruno Genesio, the one-time Bordeaux man could well prove to be just as influential were he to make the move to the London Stadium, with manager David Moyes likely to want to bolster his forward line having seen his side fail to score in the opening three league games of the season.

The Irons will likely be hoping he can have the same impact in English football as that of his compatriot Dimitri Payet, with the playmaker having dazzled the Premier League after making the switch to the capital from Marseille back in the summer of 2015.

A true master from dead-ball situations, the 5 foot 9 genius developed into a real talisman for the Hammers during his brief, yet delightful 18-month stay, with the club seemingly having seen few better talents in the modern era.

The 38-cap sensation remains a cult hero among West Ham supporters after producing a string of memorable moments in a claret and blue jersey, be it that stunning solo goal against Middlesbrough or his majestic rabona assist for Michail Antonio against Watford.

Laborde - who can feature on either flank - can also seemingly produce his own moment of cheeky quality, having notably netted a delightful panenka penalty in the victory over Troyes back in February.

The hope will be that he can reproduce such crowd-pleasing moments for Moyes' men moving forward if he is to sign before deadline day, with both West Ham - and their supporters - no doubt craving their next Payet-esque figure.