"?West Ham look set to miss out on longstanding transfer target Carlos Bacca after the Colombian international has made a decision to stay at AC Milan, according to the Standard.
The 29-year-old looked odds on to sign for the Hammers at one stage, with "?Milan reportedly accepting a £26m bid.
However, after months of persuasion Bacca has decided against a move to East London, opting to play another season in Serie A under new Milan boss Vincenzo Montella.
Montella has been working hard to hold on to the prolific forward, and now it seems as though his work has paid off, as Bacca is keen to hit the ground running under his new boss.
Bacca, who scored 20 goals in 42 appearances last season, is reported to be convinced by Montella's vision at the club, which was ultimately a deciding factor in his decision.
Former West Ham target Carlos Bacca looks set to stay at AC Milan. [via @standardsport] pic.twitter.com/K2nlb01Cya
His decision to stay has ended Milan's pursuit of Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado, who would have been available for around £26.1m as Chelsea look to recoup their last summer's signing.
The news of Bacca's rejection will come as a huge blow to West Ham and their supporters, who were promised a '20-goal-a-season' striker by co-owner David Sullivan at the start of the transfer window.
The Hammers have added two new forwards to their ranks this week though, with Andre Ayew signing from Swansea for a record £20m fee, while Argentine international Jonathan Calleri signed from Deportivo Maldonado on a season-long loan.
There are expected to still be a number of outgoings from West Ham before the end of the transfer window, with wayward striker Diafra Sakho undergoing a personal fitness regime in order to find a new club over the next fortnight.