Chelsea have cooled their interest in Lille striker Jonathan David, paving the way for West Ham to sign the Canadian, according to reports.

The Daily Mail claim that the Hammers are now firm favourites to snap up the player on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.

Adding their own information to the report, insiders Claret & Hugh say that Graham Potter’s side are “very close to completing a deal” for David.

However, they are holding off on completing the paperwork for now, as they consider their options.

Potter wants a target man

While it appears that the Irons have an excellent chance of securing the services of David, there are concerns about his profile.

The 25-year-old is not an out-and-out number nine and there is a feeling that Potter would prefer a forward who can hold the ball up and lead the line.

For that reason,  Ipswich’s Liam Delap is classed as a better option, although there are serious doubts about the team’s chances of signing the England Under 21 international.

David is the best forward West Ham can realistically sign

Delap is available for as little as £30m but he has a host of other suitors, including Chelsea and Manchester United. The likelhood of him deciding to make the switch to the London Stadium is pretty remote at the moment.

David has scored 23 goals and provided 10 assists in 44 appearances. He will have plenty of suitors if the Hammers decide against signing him so it is probably unwise to delay a decision to secure his signature if, as Claret & Hugh suggest, an agreement is close.

Considering the club have limited resources too, signing a player of the Canadian international’s quality on a free is an opportunity too good to pass up.

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