The club's owners have instigated the move for the Brazilian forward, just as they won a tug of war with Allardyce to sign Diafra Sakho, who is West Ham’s top scorer this season and has been a huge success. Questions have also been raised over why Mauro Zarate was allowed to leave on loan to Queens Park Rangers in January in the light on Andy Carroll’s latest season-ending injury.

Sullivan’s son Jack posted a message on Twitter denying suggestions that Allardyce had been sacked.

What is clear is that Sullivan and Gold have started a process of carefully assessing their options ahead of deciding whether or not to let Allardyce go, with Moyes and Bilic the men of particular interest to the West Ham chiefs.

Moyes has been viewed as the perfect profile of manager to take over from Allardyce by Upton Park insiders since Scotsman was sacked by Manchester United last April.

The 51-year-old is still greatly admired for the fine work he did during 11 years at Everton, during which time the Merseyside club qualified for the Champions League and regularly challenged for a top-four place.

Sullivan and Gold believe West Ham will be capable of similar achievements once the club make their highly-anticipated move into the Olympic Stadium.

Moyes was appointed Real Sociedad manager in November and signed an 18-month contract with the Spanish club, who are 12th in La Liga. His reported wages of L1.5m-a-year are significantly less than the L3m-a-year Allardyce currently earns at West Ham.

Associates of Moyes, however, insist he is extremely happy with his work and life in Spain, and is currently making transfer plans for the summer with Burnley striker Danny Ings a target.

Sociedad have already promised Moyes he will have money to spend and it will take a big effort from Sullivan and Gold to convince him to leave Spain so quickly.

^{Target: David Moyes is wanted by West Ham but is happy in Spain}

Bilic may be easier to tempt to Upton Park than Moyes, despite the fact the former Croatia international is currently preparing for a Europa League tie against Liverpool with Besiktas, who are top of the Turkish Super League.

Ex-defender Bilic spent 18 months at Upton Park as a West Ham player after being signed by Harry Redknapp in January 1996 and still holds a strong affection for the club.

Despite the fact Bilic has managed Croatia and now Besiktas, Sullivan and Gold will be wary of the fact the 46-year-old has no experience of managing in the Premier League. Knocking Liverpool out of the Europa League would certainly enhance his prospects.

Bilic himself has made it clear he would like to return to England as a manager, saying: “Managing in the Premier League is a question I get asked, not only about England - but mostly - and whatever you say, it sounds not fair to someone. I really like it here at Besiktas, I like this job, it's a massive club.

“I’m enjoying it big time. But, of course, I would say that, one day, I would be interested in England, of course I would.

“I’ve been there, I’ve played there, l liked it there - wherever I go there. Okay, I'm not a huge star, but I feel people like me there and I spent my best years - and not only in football - there.

“It's also the Premier League. If we have dinner, and there are big screens to watch, and there is no Turkish game, then we watch Premier League. That is the league that is most followed.”

Allardyce’s future was put firmly back on the agenda at the weekend after West Ham fans called on Sullivan to sack him following the club’s 4-0 FA Cup defeat to West Bromwich Albion.