West Ham are set to have to wait until the summer to sign Maxi Gomez, with Celta Vigo reluctant to lose him this month because they are in relegation danger in La Liga.
The Hammers had indicated earlier in the window they were willing to meet his £43.5million release clause and the 22-year-old striker was keen to link up with Manuel Pellegrini.
But Celta Vigo do not want to lose Gomez, who has scored nine goals in 22 matches this season, because they know he will be key to their chances of staying up.
West Ham have identified the Uruguay international as their top target to replace Marko Arnautovic if the forward leaves.
Arnautovic, who could be fit to face Liverpool on Monday after scans revealed the Austrian international has only suffered bruising to his foot, is set to move at the end of the season and West Ham are likely to rekindle their interest in Gomez then.
