West Ham ‘lead Brereton Diaz race’ and want Lingard back in busy summer

For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter

West Ham are reportedly leading the race to sign Blackburn Rovers star Ben Brereton Diaz ahead of the summer and also have one eye on Jesse Lingard.

The Hammers have had a brilliant season but are in danger of running out of steam having been in locked in a battle for a potential top-four spot earlier in the year. However, they could not keep up that pace and have since fallen away.

The likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United have managed to pull away while West Ham could not contend with their more illustrious foes largely down to their squad size and lack of attacking options.

Michail Antonio has been David Moyes' main man up front and, while a willing runner and constant threat, has managed just nine Premier League goals this season. It has led to the Scotsman making a striker a top priority in the summer.

And according to The Sun, Brereton Diaz is the man who has been identified as the solution going into the next season. The Blackburn star has been in incredible form this year as Rovers make an unlikely push for the Premier League.

West Ham scout Alan Irvine has been watching the Chile international, who will enter the final year of his contract next season. The Ewood Park outfit know they might have to sell and have priced the 23-year-old at £15million.

However, the Hammers are not the only ones interested in the former Nottingham Forest star with Sevilla also in the race. But the east London side are reported to be at the front of the queue.

Moyes is a big fan of Brereton Diaz after his fine campaign in the Championship after scoring 22 times. He also appreciates the forward's versatility, being able to play as a No. 9 or across the wide positions as well.

United star Lingard is also still on the radar at the London Stadium where he had a brilliant loan spell before returning to the Red Devils last summer. The England international will leave his boyhood club this year for good when his contract expires.

However, the likes of Newcastle, Juventus and Barcelona are also interested in the playmaker. Moyes was desperate to sign the playmaker last year but a fee could not be agreed with United.

  • West Ham FC
  • Blackburn Rovers FC
  • Championship
  • Premier League
  • Manchester United FC
  • Transfer news

Source: Read Full Article