EPL Transfer News: Signing a New Striker the Priority, But David Sullivan Would Be Open to a Move for Scott Parker

Jul 21, 2013 11:15 PM EDT

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan revealed the club's priority in the transfer window remains a striker, but admitted he would love to have Scott Parker back at the club.

The Hammers are a little thin in the forward front at the moment with only Andy Carroll and Modibo Maiga in their books.

Carlton Cole was released by West Ham at the end of the season, while Marouane Chamakh and Wellington returned back to their parent clubs following loan spells.

During a question and answer session with the West Ham fans on his son's Twitter account, Sullivan reiterated the club's priority of signing a forward while adding defensive reinforcements were not the priority at the moment.

Sullivan also said he would be open for Parker to move back to West Ham this summer, but admitted the switch would depend on if he would fit into the wage budget.

"We need goalscorers not defenders," he said when asked about defensive targets. "We have to focus wages on strikers due to wage cap but would love Scott back if there was room."

Sullivan revealed loan moves for Raheem Sterling of Liverpool and Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku were unlikely, while reiterating the need for another body up front.

"We are happy with the rest of the team all we need now is pace and goals."

Meanwhile, West Ham midfielder Joe Cole said West Ham's 4-1 preseason friendly defeat to HSV Mainz Saturday was a "wake-up call", but the former Chelsea player was confident of putting up a better performance against Hamburg Tuesday.

"It's a little wake-up call," he told West Ham TV. "We had played four good games beforehand, but this was a real test against a good Bundesliga side and we came up short.

"The result is not too important, but we're obviously disappointed because you play to win. It's a wake-up call and I expect us to be stronger when we play Hamburg on Tuesday.

"These are the games you need, and they are a bit ahead of us fitness-wise. It's another big test on Tuesday and then of course we have another (in Braunschweig) on Saturday.

"You build up gradually and we won't panic (because of this result). The main thing is that we all came through unscathed, we got more minutes under our belts and now we move on."

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