West Ham are weighing up a potential move for Benfica forward Vangelis Pavlidis, according to reports.

The 26-year-old has scored 24 goals this season and TBRFootball claim that the Hammers have “done detailed checks” on the player ahead of a possible bid during the summer transfer window.

Pavlidis is an experienced player, having scored on a regular basis for Willem II and AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands prior to his transfer to Benfica last year.

Understandably, the Portuguese side are reluctant to sell the Greek international due to his superb form, and TBRFootball report that they may end up holding out for a fee close to £80m.

West Ham will face competition for the striker

In addition to the hefty asking price, the Irons would have to battle several other teams to secure Pavlidis’s services.

It is believed that Newcastle, Everton, Fulham and Nottingham Forest are also keeping close tabs on the forward, while reports in Portugal have mentioned the likes of Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona as other suitors.

Pavlidis is too expensive

If the claims about Benfica’s valuation are accurate, you would expect that West Ham will move on to other options as they seek to bring in a first-choice No.9

Ipswich’s Liam Delap has emerged as a prime candidate. There is reportedly a clause in his contract that would allow the England Under 21 international to leave Portman Road for £30m if his team are relegated.

However, you wouldn’t make the Hammers frontrunners for his signature, considering the amount of interest there will be in him for that modest transfer fee.

Alternative targets include Lille’s Jonathan David (who is available on a free transfer), Fiorentina’s Moise Kean, Roma’s Tammy Abraham, Strasbourg’s Emanuel Emegha and Mainz’s Jonathan Burkardt.

Click here to see West Ham’s first team squad for the 2024/25 season