Sources: West Ham set sights on Aston Villa star El Ghazi as surprise Moyes plan revealed
West Ham are plotting a January move for Aston Villa attacker Anwar El Ghazi, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The Holland international, 26, has struggled for game time at Villa since the summer signings of Emiliano Buendia, Danny Ings, Ashley Young and Leon Bailey.
A West Ham source has told Football Insider that El Ghazi is on their radar as they look to sign a forward player in the newly-opened window.
Manager David Moyes is said to regard El Ghazi as capable of spearheading the attack down the middle as well as playing out wide, where he operates for Steven Gerrard's time.
Villa have made the Dutchman available for sale this month as they look to raise cash for new signings.
The Midland giants would prefer a permanent deal but will also listen to loan offers.
This site revealed on 29 November that El Ghazi is one of three senior Villa attackers who could be sold this month along with Bertrand Traore and Trezeguet.
Gerrard believes he has inherited an unbalanced squad with too many wide attacking players.
By contrast, West Ham are in the market for a forward capable of leading the front line.
It has become overly reliant in recent seasons on the form and fitness of Michail Antonio, who also spent most of his career playing out wide before being transformed into a striker by Moyes.
El Ghazi has scored three goals and supplied three assists from 11 appearances in all competitions this term.
He has made just four Premier League starts, and only one since late August.