Had it not been for a good run of form during the second half of last season, it’s likely Sam Allardyce would have been moved on from his post as West Ham manager. But for now, the club have (perhaps reluctantly) stuck by the manager but made clear their desire for something a little more interesting in the way of attacking football.

The club have, however, done some positive transfer business this summer, with Enner Valencia looking the most promising of the forward signings. But the transfer activity shouldn’t end there, as the club are short of quality at centre-forward and could do with a creative option in the centre of midfield.

With a little under a month left in the transfer window, here are FIVE players who could contribute to West Ham’s attacking play next season…

[ffc-gallery]Click on Andy Carroll to reveal

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Wilfried Zaha

With players coming into form, and their transfer business unlikely to be over, Manchester United suddenly look to have plenty of options in attack, which means Wilfried Zaha may have to look for a move away to secure regular first-team football.

The winger is said to be a target for West Ham and would prove to be an exciting signing for the club, having shown plenty of promise for Crystal Palace.

With Sam Allardyce needing to bring in players who can offer a little more imagination in the final third, a move for Zaha would make a lot of sense. Having already picked up an England cap, the youngster has an exciting future ahead of him.

Scott Sinclair

Scott Sinclair would have enjoyed a quiet past two years sitting on the sidelines at Manchester City, but if the winger is serious about kick starting his career, he’d be wise to seek a move away this summer.

Sinclair was part of an attacking Swansea side that won promotion to the Premier League under Brendan Rodgers. Despite his career stagnating at the Etihad stadium, Sinclair can be effective in the final third, both with goals and assists.

It shouldn’t take too much to prise him from Manchester City, but Sinclair, provided he can rediscover his best form, would be of great use to West Ham this coming season.

Peter Crouch

Peter Crouch may be coming to the end of his career, but at 33 he still has something to offer in the Premier League and would help to ease the loss of Andy Carroll to injury.

Stoke are said to want £3 million for the former England international, which may prove problematic for West Ham, but Crouch, despite his target man tag, was part of a Tottenham team who played good, attacking football in the recent past.

For the right price, Crouch would prove to be a good short-term investment for Sam Allardyce.

Lewis Holtby

Lewis Holtby may be looking to restart his Tottenham career under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, but considering the midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham, there may be a possibility of landing him this summer, especially of Daniel Levy makes a late move in the market.

Holtby would act as the hub of West Ham’s midfield in the team’s bid for a more attractive brand of football. He’s already played as a No.10 at a high level for Schalke and should link up well with the club’s newest arrivals.

The signing of Holtby, whether permanent or on loan, would prove to be a coup for Allardyce this summer.

Samuel Eto’o

Rumours linking Samuel Eto’o with a move to West Ham have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean the striker still wouldn’t be a good signing for Sam Allardyce’s side.

The Cameron forward knows the Premier League well and would help to play a more attractive brand of football, able to play just behind the striker or as the furthest forward.

Eto’o may have slowed down from his days at Barcelona and Inter Milan, but he’d still be of great use to West Ham, who need someone with the striker’s inspiration to provide the goals.