West Ham United have pulled out of the race to sign in-demand Nottingham Forest winger Michail Antonio, according to reports from HITC Sport.
The local website claims that the Hammers are unwilling to pay Forest's £7.5million asking price for the 25-year-old, who was one of the star performers in the Championship last season and has begun the new campaign on top form once again.
Forest have fought to keep Antonio all summer
A number of clubs are thought to be interested in the player with Forest's second-tier rivals Derby County and Middlesbrough both thought to have had bids turned down, but owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi is determined not to lose his prize asset to a fellow Championship side.
With Forest currently operating under a transfer embargo which limits the wages they are permitted to offer to players, manager Dougie Freedman would find it difficult to bring in a replacement for Antonio before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
However, it was thought that Slaven Bilić had looked to sweeten the deal with the prospect of Forest taking once-capped England winger Matt Jarvis on loan for the season in exchange.
Speculation continues but Freedman stands firm
Now, with just days to go until the end of the summer window, Forest look likely to hold onto their star man. Antonio netted 15 times in all competitions last season, and already has three in three this time around.
But while the window remains open the rumours will continue to circulate, and some have linked Aitor Karanka's Middlesbrough with another bid for the Londoner - possibly involving wantaway winger, and former Forest target, Albert Adomah in some kind of exchange.
Despite this, Freedman has already made clear his position over the possible sale of Antonio. At the end of July, he told BBC Radio Nottingham that his player was 'the best in the Championship' and while bids have been received, the club 'doesn't need the money'.