West Ham United have been dealt a potential blow in their bid to bring Terem Moffi to the Premier League in the January transfer window.

What's the latest?

That's according to Miguel Delaney, with the journalist revealing in his latest article for The Independent that, after West Ham saw two bids for the centre-forward rejected by FC Lorient, Olympique de Marseille have now joined the race for the 23-year-old - whom Lorient are said to value at a figure in the region of €30m (£26.5m).

Furthermore, another report by French media outlet Foot Mercato has also claimed that the Nigeria international is now no longer interested in a move to any of West Ham, Southampton or Everton this winter - with Moffi appearing to be keen to remain in Ligue 1 beyond the closure of the January transfer window later this month.

Ings replacement

While it is true that West Ham have already attempted to address their lack of goals by spending £15m on Danny Ings this month, with the 30-year-old's poor injury record having already reared its head - with the striker set to miss the next three games after picking up a knee injury - it is evident that David Moyes is still in need of greater strength in depth up top.

And, considering just how impressive Moffi has been in France so far this season, it would appear an extremely wise move for the Hammers' board to cough up the £26.5m needed to bring the 23-year-old to the London Stadium in January as Ings' replacement.

Indeed, over his 18 Ligue 1 appearances this season, the £18m-rated talent has been in sensational attacking form, having already hit the back of the net on 12 occasions - massively outperforming his xG of 7.31 - in addition to taking an average of 1.9 shots - 1.1 of which have been on target - making 0.5 key passes and completing 1.1 dribbles - at a success rate of 61% - per game.

These returns have seen the £15k-per-week hitman - who Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig claimed Lorient hit the "jackpot" on when signing for €8m (£7m) and Christophe Pelissier branded a "high-level player" - average an astonishing Sofascore match rating of 7.05, currently ranking him as his club's joint fourth-best performer in the top flight of French football.

As such, considering just how consistent Moffi has very much proven himself to be in the final third, coupled with Ings' ongoing injury issues, it would indeed appear as if Moyes could hit the jackpot in landing the Nigerian sensation this winter - leading us to believe that West Ham simply must pay the striker's asking price in order to fight off the competition for his services this winter.