West Ham captain Mark Noble fears the club are missing out on much-needed additions due to the high fees being paid by their rivals.
So far the Irons have added only former Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta to a squad that only secured mathematical safety from the drop with two games remaining.
Kelechi Iheanacho, Olivier Grioud and Steve Mouni have all been linked with a move to the London Stadium but so far the club have been left frustrated in pursuit of their targets.
Noble admits Slaven Bilic's squad needs strengthening but fears the club are being priced out in a tough market.