Everton are the current favourites in the battle for Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud.
West Ham had threatened to challenge the Blues to the France international’s signing as he faces up to the prospect of leaving the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners’ club-record signing of Alexandre Lacazette sees Giroud’s first-team prospects diminished, with Everton prepared to offer him a career lifeline.
Slaven Bilic hoped to tempt the 30-year-old across London but West Ham’s interest had subsequently dropped following talks with the player’s camp.
According to Sky Sports, the Hammers ended their pursuit after discovering they were not Giroud’s preferred destination should he leave Arsenal this summer.
Everton remain keen on a deal for the three-time FA Cup winner, who also has offers in his homeland from Marseille.
Giroud scored 16 times in 40 outings for Arsenal last term but admitted on Wednesday that he is unsure whether his future will remain in north London this season.
He said: “At the moment I’m still an Arsenal player so I’ll try to be professional like always and prepare well for next season.
“Obviously there will be more competition, even more than last year, but it’s always nice for a striker to feel the pressure and I always deal with it.
“I’ve been through some difficulties these last years but always succeeded to bounce back, but this one I don’t know.
“I don’t know about my future so I can’t tell you more. I’m focused on my pre-season.”