West Ham United are set to miss out on Monaco's Lacina Traore because the striker is having a medical with Everton.
The 6ft 8in Ivory Coast international appeared to be on the verge of joining the Hammers last week but looks to have opted for a switch to Merseyside.
When asked at the press conference, after Saturday's defeat to Newcastle United, if they would be signing Traore, boss Sam Allardyce said: "It's unlikely by the sounds of it.
"We're finding it extremely difficult (to bring players in).
"We had a terrible day yesterday (Friday) when I thought a player was signing for us and then I found out he wasn't, but there you go.
"[Any other club] can apply for a work permit like we did. They would have to do a separate application."
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