Sam Allardyce has conceded that West Ham United are "unlikely" to sign Lacina Traore.
Recent reports had suggested that the Monaco striker would sign on loan at Upton Park for the remainder of the campaign.
However, amid speculation that Everton have entered the race for the 23-year-old, Allardyce has admitted that his club have little chance of securing Traore's services.
"It's unlikely. We're finding it extremely difficult [to bring players in]. We had a terrible day [on Friday] when I thought a player was signing for us and then I found out he wasn't," he told reporters.
Traore only joined Monaco earlier this month from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.