Celtic manager Neil Lennon has said star midfielder Olivier Ntcham isn't going anywhere before the January transfer window closes on Friday night.
Reports in the French media have claimed that the Hammers are interested in the 23-year-old Frenchman and want to bring him in to the club to bolster the ranks alongside new recruit Tomas Soucek.
Football.London understands the reported interest is far-fetched because the club has just brought Soucek in from Slavia Prague on an initial six-month loan deal at a cost of €4m.
Ntcham scored for the Hoops on Wednesday night as they defeated St Johnstone 3-0 with a thumping header but his manager said afterwards that there was no chance his midfielder would be leaving the club.
Lennon told the Daily Record: "He’s not going anywhere.
"The last thing I want is good players going out the door. If anything, I want to get players in, but it’s a tough thing to do.
"I had a joke with Olivier after the game asking him if he was doing that for the cameras, putting himself out there.
"He’s played so well for me and I thought he was terrific. Not just his goal, but his all-round game. As far as I’m concerned, he’s not going anywhere."
A new striker is the next priority for the Hammers in the remaining few hours of the winter window as Hammers boss David Moyes admitted after the 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Wednesday that he was lacking options up front.
The club has been linked in the German media with a bizarre move for 34-year-old frontman Salomon Kalou which would disregard everything the Hammers boss has been saying about signing younger players this month and in the future. Sources have told football.london that the Hammers have not made an approach.
Football.London also understands the club has seen a bid for Salzburg right back Kristian Rasmussen knocked back as Moyes is keen to make more additions to the squad over the next 36 hours but is running out of time.
