Slaven Bilic wants to buy British during the transfer window- adding strength to speculation that West Ham want to sign Jermain Defoe from Sunderland.
According to a report in The Sun the club are already looking to ship out five summer signings with the focus very much on British players to keep the club well clear of relegation.
Successive wins over Burnley, Hull and Swansea have eased fears of relegation but that hasn’t altered the situation regarding the summer signings.
Juventus loanee Simone Zaza, Argentine striker Jonathan Calleri, ex-Liverpool man Alvaro Arbeloa plus wingers Gokhan Tore and Sofiane Feghouli have already been written off.
Bringing Defoe back to West Ham, despite the controversy over his departure in 2003, would be a popular move among supporters desperate to see their side back among the goals.
As well as boosting West Ham’s prospects the departure of the 34-year-old would deal a massive blow to Sunderland’s survival hopes.
Despite finding the way to goal at Swansea in 18 matches this season West Ham have only scored 23 goals.