Slaven Bilic has described January transfer target Jermain Defoe as an 'excellent player' as West Ham ponder whether to up their rejected £6million offer for the Sunderland striker.
The Hammers are very keen to strengthen up front this month and a return for their former striker, 34, is one of the names in the frame.
But Sunderland, who are once again embroiled in a Premier League relegation scrap, will dig in their heels in a bid to keep hold of a striker who has scored 11 times in 21 appearances this season.
Speaking ahead of West Ham's FA Cup tie against Manchester City on Friday night, Bilic said: 'He has the things that are the most important in football games - that's goals.