West Ham want to sign a generational talent from Leeds United and they need the money to satisfy Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Two positions West Ham need to strengthen this summer are central midfield and right-back.
Now it seems they want to bring in a star from Leeds United who can play both.
West Ham have a major rebuild on their hands this summer with at least eight signings needed.
Leeds will also be forced to reshape their side having missed out on promotion back to the Premier League after losing to Southampton in the Championship play-off final.
West Ham have been linked with a number of Leeds stars of late.
Hammers eye Leeds talent
The Hammers know the pain of missing out in the play-off final after losing to Palace in 2004.
West Ham – like Leeds will now – also know it means you are likely lose some of your top players.
West Ham have been heavily linked with Leeds’ Championship player of the season Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto.
It seems highly unlikely the Elland Road club will be able to keep both those stars.
And with West Ham actively hunting a new forward who can play off the left – fresh links are inevitable following Leeds’ failure to go up.
Now West Ham want a generational talent from Leeds and they need the money.
West Ham want generational star Gray
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Hammers have been tracking brilliant 18-year-old talent Archie Gray for some time.
Jacobs says West Ham genuinely want the central midfielder – who can also play right-back.
And while Gray is happy at boyhood club Leeds, they may be forced to sell him due to PSR.
That could play into West Ham’s hands as Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui push to build a new-look side around young, hungry stars.
But the Hammers aren’t alone in their interest.
“Archie Gray, although happy at Leeds, is in demand as well,” Jacobs told Give Me Sport.
“Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham and Brighton have all been tracking him for quite some time.
‘Leeds urgency to raise funds’
“The 18-year-old’s preference is to stay at Leeds, but a sale can’t be entirely ruled out given Leeds’ urgency to raise funds.
“There will inevitably be a cost for Leeds of not getting promoted, felt both on and off the field.”
Gray played in all but two of Leeds’ games as his breakthrough season ended in heartbreak.
There is no mention of how much Leeds might want for his signature.
But of the clubs mentioned, West Ham would be where Gray would get the most guaranteed game time.
The issue for the Hammers is that the summer transfer budget is said to be £100m.
Although a couple of sales are expected to raise more towards that kitty, it still has to stretch to signing a host of players.
So if Leeds want mega money for Gray then it may well rule West Ham out of the running.
West Ham’s hope will be that Leeds get so desperate they are forced to offload Gray at a knockdown price.
You can check out footage of Gray in action for Leeds below.
