According to reports from Chile, West Ham United are one of the clubs in line to sign Blackburn Rovers ace Ben Brereton Diaz this summer.

The Lowdown: Impressive campaign

The striker was one of Rovers’ standout performers last season, clocking up 25 goal contributions in the Championship, but he has just under 12 months remaining on his contract at Ewood Park, leaving his future hanging in the balance.

His form in the second tier appears to have caught the eye of a few potential suitors, and after a fresh update, it looks as though there’s a strong possibility that he could be making the step up to the Premier League.

The Latest: West Ham make contact for Brereton Diaz

According to AS Chile (via Sport Witness), it’s claimed that West Ham are ‘in the picture’ alongside top-flight rivals Leeds United to capture Brereton Diaz this summer.

The source stated that both clubs have ‘recently been in touch’ regarding a potential move for the 23-year-old, with the Irons in particular having ‘asked for information’ on the forward as they ‘consider him an alternative’ to summer target Gianluca Scamacca.

It’s reported that the Hammers have only ‘consulted’ without having made any formal bids so far, although it’s said that the player is ‘awaiting an offer’ to sanction his exit from Blackburn and move elsewhere.

The Verdict: No need to splash out

Brereton Diaz has been hailed an ‘extraordinary talent’ by his former Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray, but it’s highly likely that he isn’t West Ham’s number one striking priority considering the widespread links with other players, and therefore they shouldn’t make a move for him.

Alongside Scamacca, another name who has been constantly linked with a move to the London Stadium is Chelsea’s Armando Broja, and it sounds like a deal for the Albanian is very close to being completed.

It’s thought that Rovers have slapped a £20m valuation on the Chile international’s head, but there’s no point in the Irons making a big-money approach when a deal for a player in the same position is seemingly about to be finalised.