Transfer news: New Everton signing Lacina Traore was close to joining West Ham United

Giant striker considered move to east London

Lacina Traore looks set to complete a move to Everton, subject to a work permit (GETTY IMAGES)

Everton's latest loan signing, Lacina Traore, has admitted he was close to joining West Ham.

In the end the 23-year-old Ivory Coast international opted to move from Monaco to Goodison Park until the end of the season.

"The way in which Everton play suits my technical ability," adds Traore, at a news conference ahead of Saturday's home match with Aston Villa. "There were also other clubs interested. It was quite close with West Ham, but Everton was my choice and I'm delighted with it."

Traore becomes Everton's fourth loan signing of the season after Gareth Barry, Romelu Lukaku and Gerard Deulofeu and manager Roberto Martinez will be hoping that he will prove to be as successful a signing as any of the trio.

West Ham meanwhile continue to be somewhat frustrated in their search to bring in forward reinforcements.

They have acquired Marco Boriello on loan from Roma, but there is a feeling that Sam Allardyce could do with bringing in more faces before the end of the window if he is to keep West Ham in the league.

Who else could Everton bring in?