West Ham United have lined up former Everton midfielder Nikola Vlasic as a potential alternative to Jesse Lingard as David Moyes attempts to bolster his Premier League table-topping squad.
Moyes has guided West Ham to impressive victories against Newcastle United and Leicester City, which has put the club at the top of the table after just two games of the season.
But West Ham are the only club in the league yet to make a permanent signing this summer and Moyes is keen to get some deals over the line before the transfer window shuts next week.
The club is in talks with Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma, but personal terms are causing an issue and West Ham are reluctant to pay the defender over £100,000-a-week.
Moyes also wants an attacking player and has taken an interest in attacking midfielder Vlasic, currently at CSKA Moscow, in case West Ham cannot secure the return of Lingard.
Lingard was a huge success during a loan spell at West Ham last season and he remains the club’s first-choice target in his position.
Should West Ham fail to match United’s asking price or agree another loan deal, then Moyes could give the green light for a move for Vlasic, who has excelled in Russia.
The Croatia international scored 12 goals last season and 13 in the previous campaign, having only made 12 Premier League appearances during his season at Everton.
It is understood that Moyes has around £40m to spend without needing to sell anybody and Vlasic, who was part of Croatia’s squad at this summer’s European Championship finals, would fit into West Ham’s budget.
United are believed to value Lingard, who made a substitutes’ appearance against Southampton, at around £25m, but the former England international only has one year left on his contract and could be allowed out on loan again.