Tony Cottee believes Jermain Defoe should return to West Ham and win doubting fans around with goals.
The Hammers have reportedly had a bid for their former player turned down by his current club, Sunderland.
Defoe joined West Ham as a 16-year-old in 1999 and was a big hit with fans until he handed in a transfer request within 24 hours of the club's relegation from the Premier League in 2003. He joined Tottenham the following year.
Defoe took his goal tally for the season to 11 with two penalties in Monday's 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool and appears vital to the Black Cats' survival hopes.