Joao Palhinha, a midfielder for Fulham, is being considered by West Ham as a possible Declan Rice replacement, according to talkSPORT.
The Fulham deal that the 27-year-old signed when he joined the Cottagers for £20 million last summer is thought to have a release clause.
The Portuguese international is greatly admired by Hammers manager David Moyes, who is set to remain at the club following his team's Conference League championship victory.
In March, Man United and Liverpool, two rivals in the Premier League, were said to be interested in signing Palhinha.
According to reports, Jurgen Klopp and his teammates were eager to recruit a Portuguese trio in the case that Jude Bellingham wasn't available.
In an effort to upgrade their aging midfield, the Reds had Matheus Nunes and Ruben Neves of Wolves on their shortlist in addition to Palhinha. However, they have now finalized the acquisition of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
But now, it appears that the Hammers will attack him.
Palhinha has only played in the Premier League for one season, but after making 35 league appearances in Marco Silva's team's ascent to tenth place, he won't be cheap.
West Ham's offer for the midfielder, though, will be significantly enhanced by the money they anticipate making from selling Rice.
The day following the Hammers' victory in the Europa Conference League, Hammers owner David Sullivan exclusively revealed to talkSPORT that Rice would be leaving the team this summer.
According to talkSPORT, Arsenal is the front-runner in the race to get him, and the Hammers intend to spur a bidding war that may net them £120 million.
They now have plenty of cash on hand to assist them fill the Rice-shaped hole in their team and convince Palhinha to move from west to east London.
Declan Rice, the captain of West Ham, is still a target for Arsenal, according to talkSPORT.
After tomorrow's Europa Conference League final, the Gunners want to formally approach Rice.
Rice is reportedly more interested in moving to the Emirates than to Bayern Munich.
Although Manchester United has requested to be updated on progress, they do not see themselves as front-runners.
Rice is worth more than £100m to West Ham. In the midst of yet another excellent season, the English midfielder has been connected with a number of Premier League teams.
In addition to Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool are said to be interested in the 24-year-old. David Moyes, the manager of the Hammers, acknowledged in May that Rice will probably depart the team this summer.
“We honestly hope he stays,” Moyes said.
“We'd love for him to be a West Ham player but we are aware that might not be the case at the end of the season."
"So that's one of the scenarios around plans. There are plans that we have Dec here."
"But we're also fully aware there is a good chance we won't have him.”
"So that's one of the scenarios around plans. There are plans that we have Dec here."
"But we're also fully aware there is a good chance we won't have him.”