West Ham are currently favourites to secure the services of Swansea City’s Azeem Abdulai, according to TEAMtalk.

The website claims that the Hammers are in the “lead” to snap up the 21-year-old, who has broken into Swansea’s first team this season.

Abdulai actually came through the ranks as a centre-half but he has played almost all of his appearances at senior level as either a wingback or fullback so far.

There is a potential for him to play even further forward in the future, having been deployed as a left-winger on the opening day against Middlesbrough.

Abdulai has similarities to Bellingham

Despite initially starting his career as a defender, the decision to play him further up to pitch has led to comparisons to Jude Bellingham.

Both Abdulai’s style of play and his ability in possession have been likened to the Real Madrid and England player. It remains to be seen whether those initial impressions will be backed up by actual performances.

West Ham will have competition for the player

TEAMtalk reports that Bournemouth and several other Premier League sides are also keeping close tabs on Abdulai’s development, although it seems the Irons are the team likeliest to make a formal approach at the moment.

The London club have delved into the Championship with some success in the past, most notably Jarrod Bowen, although their last signing from Swansea didn’t work out too well.

Flynn Downes was snapped up from the Welsh side for an initial £12m in the summer of 2022, but he only started 15 matches during his two years at the club. Most of his game time came in the Europa Conference League but he didn’t do enough to win over manager David Moyes. He was loaned out to Southampton last season before joining the Saints on a permanent basis following their promotion back to the Premier League.

Find out who is in West Ham’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here