West Ham are interested in signing Bologna midfielder Erick Pulgar, according to reports in Chile.

The 25-year-old was also linked with Arsenal earlier this month. He had an excellent season in Serie A, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 30 appearances.

Pulgar is a holding midfielder and is likely being looked at as a potential alternative to Pedro Obiang, who is reportedly on the verge of leaving the club.

The Equatorial Guinea international is said to be close to moving to Sassuolo with reports claiming the Italian club have offered €9m for the 27-year-old.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini will know Pulgar well as he is a fellow Chilean. The midfielder played at the Copa America this summer as Chile were knocked out in the semi-finals by Peru.

He started all six matches at the tournament, including the third-place playoff defeat to Argentina, and he did not miss a single minute of the competition.