Leeds United are keen on Ashley Fletcher but West Ham will not allow the youngster to leave on loan in January unless they sign another striker, The Sun say.
Leeds are reportedly among several Championship clubs interested in the 21-year-old forward, who joined the Hammers from Manchester United during the summer.
A source is quoted as saying: “We can’t even think about it until that time as we obviously don’t know what our injury situation is likely to be.
“And of course, with the African Nations Cup, the earliest we would do anything would be January 31.”
The Sun also say that West Ham have no intention of allowing Simone Zaza to reach the 14-appearance mark, which would reportedly mean they would have to sign him on a £20m permanent deal.
Italian striker Zaza has been poor since being signed on loan from Juventus, failing to score in his seven appearances so far.
AC Milan and Napoli are said to be interested in signing him when the transfer window reopens in January.
The Sun quote ‘a London Stadium insider’ as saying: “For the money being asked he really needed to do it from game one.
“Even were he to go on a scoring run now, there would be a big question mark. It doesn’t look on and the best way forward may be for Juve to drop the ‘must buy’ clause.
“That would take the pressure off both clubs, but chiefly the player who may then be able to perform with more freedom.”