West Ham want to sign a striker before letting Gianluca Scamacca move on loan to Roma.
Scamacca has agreed terms with Roma but must now wait for West Ham to sign a replacement.
The Hammers would be open to releasing him on an initial loan move with an option to buy.
It would give Scamacca a chance to revitalise his career after a disastrous first 12 months at London Stadium.
Injury ended his season early and teammate Michail Antonio recently claimed on a podcast Scamacca was not enough of a “fighter” to succeed under David Moyes.
Moyes is also keen to bring a midfielder to the club before sanctioning captain Declan Rice’s proposed move to Arsenal.
Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha and Ajax’s Edson Alvarez are both leading targets.
England international James Ward-Prowse has also been considered, though the Southampton midfielder is not seen as a direct replacement for Rice.