West Ham United target £8m Rickie Lambert?

West Ham United are reportedly prepared to part with £8m to land Southampton striker Rickie Lambert during this month's transfer window.

The Hammers have found goals hard to come by this season, having scored just 18 times from 19 Premier League outings.

As a result, manager Sam Allardyce has made signing a centre-forward his main priority over the coming weeks and he has made the England international his number one target, according to The Mirror.

The report claimed that Allardyce has confidence of securing the 31-year-old because he can offer him a guaranteed starting role in a World Cup year, whereas at Southampton he has competition for his place from Pablo Osvaldo and Jay Rodriguez.

Lambert joined Southampton from Bristol Rovers in 2009.