According to Italian website Sport Mediaset, West Ham have already made a bid for Inter Milan forward Gabriel Barbosa. 

The striker, known as Gabigol, is on loan currently at Brazilian side Santos from Italian giants Inter Milan. He is in terrific goalscoring form in Brazil, finding the back of the net 16 times in 31 appearances.

Should West Ham land the 22-year-old Brazil international, it will throw the career prospects of a couple of players into turmoil. One of those players whose time at the London Stadium may be numbered is Lucas Pérez.

The Spaniard only joined The Hammers in the summer from Arsenal, but has failed to make an impression so far under Manuel Pellegrini, and is yet to make a start in the Premier League. With the arrival of Gabigol, Pérez would find himself in the selection wilderness with Marko Arnautović and Javier Hernández already ahead of him in the pecking order.

The question will remain as to whether the 4-cap Brazil international will be able to work his way into The Irons' starting XI, particularly with Arnautović playing so well this season. Even then, the Mexican Hernández is regarded as such a superb impact substitution that it may be hard for the Brazilian to even find his way onto the bench. What he will provide, however, is competition for places at West Ham, which will only improve the performances of players.

West Ham currently sit in 13th place in the Premier League after a horrendous start to their season. The addition of Gabigol in January will be another sign of their continued improvement.