The Hammers have joined the race to sign highly rated 17 year old Argentinian Naza Bazan Vera.
The teenager has been training with Velez Sarsfield’s first team and is set for an Under-20 call up for his country ahead of schedule.
According to The Sun, Villarreal are interested in taking him to Spain after being alerted to Bazan Vera having a European passport which will allow him to move from South America without a work permit.
Scouts have compared him to fellow Argie youngster Paulo Dybala who moved to Juventus a year ago aftee moving to Palermo as an 18 year old.