Avram Grant was confident that he could make the Nigerian international his first major signing after taking over at the Boleyn Ground but has seen Everton rebuke two offers.
The final offer of £7 million was turned down by Everton last month and it's thought that West Ham are now preparing to look at other options.
But, if an overweight-out-of-form-might-never-be-the-same-after-a-serious-injury-world-cup-sitter-missing striker is what they're after then they won't find that anywhere else!