Bilic a fan of Defoe

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is in the market for a new striker and admits Jermain Defoe would solve the club's goalscoring problems.

The Hammers are understood to have tabled a bid for Defoe but Sunderland are keen to keep hold of the striker, who has already netted 11 times this season.

Joint-chairman David Sullivan is working hard to bring in players during the January transfer window and Bilic admits Defoe would be the perfect addition to his side.

"The chairman is trying really hard to get some players, if it's going to be possible, in positions we think we need. I'm not going to talk about names in public," he said.

"(Defoe) has the things that are the most important in a football games - that's goals. He scored them last season, he was probably the main reason they stayed up, and then he continues to do the same this season, scoring again.

"In every game he is having chances and most of the chances he is converting into goals. He is an excellent player, of course."

West Ham have also been linked with a move for Brentford player Scott Hogan.

The forward has scored 14 goals in the Championship this season and Bilic admits he is a 'really good prospect'.

"Scott is a good player, I've watched him a few times," added Bilic.

"He is scoring goals, he is very sharp, very quick, and a really good finisher. He does it in the Championship. He is really young, a really good prospect.

"But Hogan is not on our roster so that is it, basically."

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