Insider: West Ham backed to join race for Watford star

West Ham have been backed to join a number of Premier League clubs in their pursuit of Watford star Imran Louza as they aim to strengthen in midfield.

Watford are currently eighth in the Championship, but if they miss out on promotion come the end of the season, the 26-year-old is likely to move on.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Louza would be perfect for West Ham, who are unhappy with their current midfield options.

The Morocco international has registered 13 goal contributions in 25 games from midfield so far this season, impressing a number of potential suitors.

Reports in the summer suggested the midfielder had handed in a transfer request, placing the likes of Everton and multiple European clubs on alert.

West Ham backed to make move for Imran Louza

James Ward-Prowse and Guido Rodriguez are both expected to leave the London Stadium this month, with Lucas Paqueta‘s future remains up in the air.

As a result, Nuno Espirito Santo plans to bolster his squad in midfield with additions in mind both for January and the summer, and Louza could be among them.

“Louza is impressing a lot of clubs with his performances,” Brown told Football Insider.

“Whenever there is somebody playing at a high level in the Championship, they’re going to attract a lot of interest from Premier League clubs, that’s no surprise.

“A lot of teams are unable to compete financially to land these big-name players who are playing over in Europe, so they have to look elsewhere at potential deals.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see West Ham having a look at him.

“They’re looking to strengthen in midfield, I think it’s been a real problem position there for a while even when I was there with David Moyes I used to say about it.

“So they could do with a player like him and I would think they’d be having a look, because if one of the better players in the Championship becomes available, they need to know about it.”

West Ham set sights on Hayden Hackney deal

Louza is not the only Championship midfielder on the Hammers’ radar, as they continue to assess a number of options who could improve their squad.

Football Insider exclusively revealed on 19 January that West Ham scouts are watching Hayden Hackney with a potential move in mind for the Middlesbrough star.

The 23-year-old has made 29 appearances so far this season and impressed against Premier League opposition despite Boro’s 3-1 defeat to Fulham in the FA Cup.

Hackney‘s current contract at Middlesbrough is set to run until 2027, and there is a growing feeling they could allow his departure for the right price.

However, West Ham are not alone in their interest, with a number of rival Premier League clubs also sending scouts to keep tabs on his progress.

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The post Insider: West Ham backed to join race for Watford star appeared first on Football Insider.