West Ham have given up on signing Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, Sky sources understand.
The Hammers had a £6m bid rejected for their former player last week and were considering a follow-up offer.
They asked Sunderland to name their price but the Wearside club have told them Defoe is not for sale in the current transfer window.
Defoe has scored 11 of Sunderland’s 19 Premier League goals this season as they battle, along with West Ham, against relegation to the Championship.
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is keen to add a striker to his squad in January with midfielder Michail Antonio their leading Premier League scorer by some distance on eight goals.
Hopes that summer-signing Simone Zaza would provide the goals this term have proven baseless, and the Italy international is on his way out of the London Stadium in January.
Defoe started his professional career with West Ham and scored 41 goals before leaving for Tottenham in February 2004.
Source: Sky Sports
