West Ham United boss David Moyes has been trying to recruit players who will 'excite' the Hammers fanbase, but extortionate fees have stopped him from being able to welcome big-name stars to the London Stadium in recent transfer windows, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.
The east Londoners have shown they mean business on the pitch, highlighted by securing a convincing 3-0 win over French giants Lyon to book their place in a first European semi-final in 46 years last Thursday, but that has not translated to Moyes being able to lure marquee signings to the club recently.
Who did West Ham try to sign in January?
West Ham failed to welcome a single fresh face to the London Stadium during the winter window, but that does not mean Moyes was not backed by co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold as he searched for reinforcements.
Having already shown an interest in Leeds United winger Raphinha, the east Londoners decided to test the Yorkshire club's resolve.
However, West Ham saw a £50million bid turned down despite the Brazilian being open to the switch if his current employers had given their blessing.
The Hammers tabled an offer worth the same amount for Raphinha's Leeds team-mate Kalvin Phillips, but that also proved to be unsuccessful.
With just hours to go before the deadline, Moyes looked to strengthen his attacking options by tempting Darwin Nunez away from Benfica, but £60million proved not to be enough to secure his services.
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What has Paul Brown said about the situation?
Brown believes Moyes has been keen to only dip into the transfer market if it has become clear that he could secure an upgrade on options currently at his disposal.
However, the journalist feels financial indifferences, both in terms of transfer fees and wages, have frustrated the West Ham chief and owners.
Brown told GIVEMESPORT: "I do think West Ham have been trying to sign the calibre of player that might excite West Ham fans in the last two windows.
"They just haven't managed to get close to the fees being demanded by the clubs or some of these players."
Who could West Ham sign this summer?
According to The Sun, West Ham are set to battle it out with Newcastle United for Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi.
The report suggests the Hammers could have to part with as much as £30million to persuade his Bundesliga employers into sanctioning Awoniyi's departure.
Meanwhile, Matthias Ginter has been identified as a potential option to bolster the east Londoners' backline, but he has also been scouted by Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur, while Aston Villa have expressed an interest ahead of his Borussia Monchengladbach deal expiring in the summer.