Thursday 21 January 2016 13:04, UK
Slaven Bilic says West Ham could sign a striker this month but has described reports of a move for Daniel Sturridge as "paper talk".
Bilic is currently without injured forwards Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, while Mauro Zarate and Nikica Jelavic could leave the club during the January transfer window.
That would leave room for a new recruit, but the Hammers boss has played down suggestions Liverpool's Sturridge is a target.
"That is only a rumour and there is nothing behind it," Bilic said. "I am not talking about who we want - Daniel Sturridge is a big player and a big name - but that is only paper talk."
Pressed on whether he would be interested if Sturridge became available, he said: "What if? I would take Lionel Messi also, but it is only an 'if' so there is nothing in it."
Sky sources say Fenerbahce's Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike is a loan target as talks continue with Fiorentina over Zarate's departure.
"We are not panicking," Bilic said. "We know that we have a couple of players that are injured.
"On the other hand there are a couple of players that may leave the club. Maybe Zarate, maybe Jelavic and if that happens, and it may happen, then we are going to try and get one striker."
