Report: Club snubs West Ham loan-to-buy offer for £16m striker, permanent bids only

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West Ham United have reportedly been unsuccessful with an initial loan-to-buy offer for Gaetan Laborde, according to the Evening Standard.

Hammer boss David Moyes has been left reeling by Sebastien Haller’s unexpected departure to Ajax, admitting that the East Londoners were “not really” ready in terms of bringing in a replacement this month.

Moyes now has just Michail Antonio, who has struggled with hamstring injuries once more this season, as a recognised striker in his ranks, so it’s unsurprising to see West Ham linked with a multitude of forwards.

Laborde, who plays for French club Montpellier, is said to be a target, but according to the Evening Standard, they have rejected West Ham’s first offer, made up of a loan with an automatic option to buy being activated in the summer.

La Paillade will reportedly only consider a permanent bid for the £16million-rated striker, who has six goals and as many assists in 20 Ligue 1 appearances so far this season, part of a superb strike partnership with Andy Delort.

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Laborde is a high-calibre player who has been in great form this season, and Montpellier appear willing to sell.

A strong, quick and agile forward who thrives with the ball at his feet and also boasts great aerial ability, Laborde has been compared to Olivier Giroud and would certainly be a good acquisition for West Ham.

However, with a loan-to-buy offer apparently being rejected, the East Londoners will need to go back to the drawing board if they want to get their hands on the 26-year-old.