West Ham are “near the front of the queue” to snap up Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, according to The Sun.

The impending arrival of Kai Havertz from Chelsea has reportedly “unsettled” the 24-year-old and a source has told the English tabloid that the Hammers and Crystal Palace are the favourites to sign him if he decides to leave the Emirates this summer:

“Eddie’s at a key stage in his career. He feels he’s now proved he can score goals at the highest level and the next step is to be playing week in week out. But the fact the club has decided to invest so heavily in another striker has left Eddie wondering if he really has a future at the club.

“There would certainly be no shortage of takers if he were to push for a move. Crystal Palace and West Ham are both near the front of the queue. Both clubs lack a 20-goal-a-season man which Nketiah believes he can be in the Premier League.”

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is said to be keen on keeping Nketiah and it should be pointed out that the former England Under 21 international was handed a new lucrative £100,000 a week contract last year. However, it seems the player is running out of patience.

West Ham will be in the market for a striker

Roma are pressing to sign Gianluca Scamacca, with the Italian international seeking a return to Italy after just one season with the Hammers. It means a replacement could well be required.

Reports have suggested that West Ham may consider reviving their interest in Chelsea’s Armando Broja but, unfortunately, Havertz’s departure for the Gunners could have the unintended consequence that the Blues will want to retain the Albanian’s services.

Nketiah could, therefore, be a realistic alternative, although it remains to be seen if Arsenal are prepared to let him leave.