WEST HAM are set to miss out on Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic this summer to Besiktas.
The Hammers had identified the forward as one of his main transfer targets as he looks to rebuild his squad.
However, the Croatian looks like he will be pipped to the post in the race to snap up the in-demand star.
Turkish giants Besiktas are reportedly ready to break the bank and offer him £6million-a-year to bring him to the Vodafone Arena, according to TalkSport.
They are currently top of the Super Lig by four points and look set to land the title and Champions League football.
Bilic had hoped his relationship with the attacker from his time in charge of the Croatia national team would help to lure Mandzukic to the London Stadium.
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But the prospect of playing in Europe’s elite competition could prove to be a tipping point for the 31-year-old.
Mandzukic is under contract with Serie A champions Juventus until 2019.
He has scored ten goals for the club this season, but his future remains unclear in Italy.
Bilic is desperate to add more firepower to West Ham’s squad before next season.
He has already missed out on Jermain Defoe from Sunderland, with the veteran opting to join Bournemouth instead.
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