Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah is “very high” on West Ham’s list of targets this summer, according to journalist Paul Brown.

Reports in the Spanish media have claimed that the Hammers have already spoken to the American international’s agents and Brown believes a transfer to the London Stadium in the coming weeks is looking pretty likely:

“I’m told West Ham are very high on Yunus Musah and have been for some time now. The player had a decent World Cup. His form tailed off a little bit for his club towards the end of last season. I think that’s affected the interest of some other clubs around the world.”

In terms of the other teams that are mentioned, Liverpool, Chelsea and former club Arsenal have all been linked by reliable sources, along with Champions League finalists Inter Milan, but Brown’s remarks suggest that interest from West Ham’s rivals has died down due to his recent poor form.

West Ham could get Musah for a pretty low price

Even though the 20-year-old does have a €100m (£86m) release clause in his contract, Valencia are said to be prepared to let him leave for a quarter of that figure – €25m or £21m.

It looks as if Musah’s difficult second half of the campaign has lowered his value, and the Irons could well secure themselves a bargain if they sign him now.

Musah should fit in perfectly

The American has bundles of energy and possesses a very high work rate that will undoubtedly endear him to manager David Moyes who demands a lot from his midfielders off the ball.

Of course, Musah still has a lot of developing to do and, while he would not be a direct replacement for captain Declan Rice, he will certainly bring some of the same qualities to West Ham’s engine room.