Hammers boss Sam Allardyce confident that his move for the 6ft 8in striker will be completed in the before the weekend
Under-pressure West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is hopeful a loan deal for Monaco striker Lacina Traore can be completed within the next 48 hours.
Traore, who recently signed for Monaco on a four-and-a-half-year deal, will be loaned out immediately, with West Ham being the clear favourites to sign the Ivorian.
The 6ft 8in striker, also nicknamed the “Gentle Giant,” would also follow former Anzhi Makhachkala stars Samuel Eto’o and Willian to London after owner Suleyman Kerimov drastically cut spending at the Dagestan based club.
At a press conference earlier today Allardyce said that the Hammers were “reasonably close without being absolutely certain” of signing the Ivorian and are now waiting on a work permit and a completed medical before they can confirm taking Traore on loan.
A completed signing would see some much needed firepower come to the Premier League strugglers, who have seen record signing Andy Carroll relegated to the treatment table for whole season so far, although the England striker may be fit enough to feature against Newcastle next week.
Allardyce will be desperate to see Traore hit the ground running and lift West Ham out of the relegation zone, but the Ivorian has only one goal to his name this season scored against FC Lokomotiv Moscow back in July of last year.