Evan Ferguson was dealt another blow in an underwhelming campaign with Brighton when he was not selected for their matchday squad against Arsenal on Saturday evening.
The Ireland striker has been heavily linked with a move away from the club he made his name with since it first emerged in early November that the 20-year-old was seeking pastures new.
A number of Premier League clubs are reported to have expressed interest in signing the youngster who is keen for more playing time, including title contenders Arsenal and their London rivals West Ham.
Ferguson, who has struggled for meaningful game time since returning from an injury-plagued stint on the sidelines, has put his name on the scoreboard just once in the Premier League this season.
There was a significant change in tone from Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler earlier this week when he hinted that the club and Ferguson were discussing his future in Brighton - a revelation that came just days before the transfer window opened.
Delaney explains why West Ham ideal for Evan Ferguson
While a move to Arsenal - whose lack of a goalscoring number nine has been a topic of discussion this season - would present great opportunities of silverware for the Meath man, he would face stiff competition at the club.
West Ham, meanwhile, have struggled up top in an underwhelming season with Niclas Fullkrug failing to validate his £27million fee this summer.
Meanwhile, Michail Antonio will miss the season having fractured his leg in a car crash a few weeks ago - and Jarrod Bowen is out for the foreseeable, leaving the Hammers light in attacking options.
Ex-Ireland international Damien Delaney would love to see Ferguson link-up with West Ham, believing the opportunity presents more playing minutes for the striker than at any other PL club.
"It makes a lot of sense... more sense of than the Arsenal one," Delaney said on Premier Sports.
West Ham have Fullkrug who they don't appear set on and maybe he is not capable of playing 90 minutes week-in, week-out. So there is an opening there to play in tandem with Fullkrug.
"I think he would get a lot of minutes at West Ham... it makes a huge amount of sense for him.
"I hope it transpires for him because it is probably the best he could hope for in terms of playing games at Premier League level."
West Ham lie 13th in the Premier League table after defeat to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
Signing Ferguson, on-loan or otherwise, could be a move that suits both parties with Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck keeping him out of contention at Brighton.
