West Ham have held talks over a deal for CSKA Moscow forward Nikola Vlasic as they seek an alternative to Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard.

The Croatia international, formerly of Everton, was a target for AC Milan earlier this window and CSKA want around £25million.

Manager David Moyes is a confirmed admirer of the 23-year-old, who cost CSKA around £14m from Everton, and West Ham would hope to get the Russian club’s valuation down as talks progress.

Vlasic was signed for Everton by former director of football Steve Walsh and impressed fleetingly under manager Ronald Koeman. However, he was disregarded by Koeman’s successor Marco Silva and told he had no future at the club.

After an initial loan with CSKA he signed a permanent deal and scored 25 goals in his first two seasons attracting interest from Real Madrid and AC Milan.

West Ham have been forced to look at alternative options with a deal for Lingard looking unlikely at this stage. While he remains popular among staff and fans, a deal is proving expensive for a 28-year-old who has just one year left on contract.

West Ham have been credited with interest in Lille’s Jonathan Bamba but Sportsmail understands he is not being considered by Moyes.

The West Ham manager, who has guided his side to the top of the Premier League after two games, wants to get their £26million deal for Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma over the line first as his priority before strengthening in midfield and attack.

However, with their budget tight, once a bid is made for Vlasic, he may be looking to add loans in the final throes of the window.