West Ham manager David Moyes says he was not prepared to buy a striker during the January window just to "appease" people.
After selling record signing Sebastian Haller to Ajax, Michail Antonio is their only recognised forward.
"We were looking and we had money to spend," said Moyes.
"But we are trying not to go down the same path as before. I am not going to sign players who have come in to appease people."
West Ham were looking at Josh King but had backed away from a deal before Everton signed the Norwegian striker on a six-month contract.