West Ham have sent scouts to watch Vitoria Guimaraes winger Jota Silva in recent weeks, according to The Express.

The English tabloid claims that the 24-year-old has caught the eye with his performances this season, having scored 15 goals in 37 appearances for his club.

Silva has even received international recognition, being handed his first two caps for Portugal’s senior side last month following his excellent recent form.

The Hammers are not the only Premier League club keeping an eye on him, though, with The Express reporting that both Brighton and Fulham are interested in the forward.

Silva could be available for a bargain price this summer

The winger is closing in on the final year of his contract with Vitoria and, despite having a €20m (£17m) release clause, it is likely that he will be available for as little as £10m at the end of the season.

Silva’s club are not willing to let him run down his current deal and leave on a free transfer next year, so he will be sold if a reasonable offer is received in the coming months.

West Ham’s transfer business

With manager David Moyes expected to leave the London Stadium at the end of the campaign, there is a possibility that signings won’t be signed off until a replacement is in place.

However, with technical director Tim Steidten having reportedly taken responsibility for transfers, a move for Silva could still be sanctioned even before a successor to Moyes is appointed.

The fact that it wouldn’t cost a lot to secure the services of the Portuguese international may lead to Steidten rubber-stamping the deal in the knowledge that, if the new manager isn’t a fan of the player, he could still be sold for a profit. That is pure speculation, though, so we shall have to wait and see whether West Ham do press ahead with the transfer.