West Ham are leading the race to sign Ben Brereton Diaz from Blackburn Rovers, although there is rival interest from Manchester United, according to a new report.

Football League World claims that United have had scouts keeping an eye on the Chile international as he continues to impress in the Championship.

But they report the Hammers are ahead of the pack and that he could be available for transfer in January.

However, as we reported yesterday, cash will be an issue for the Hammers in January which could see them miss out on signings other than loans,

Brereton Diaz has started the season in superb form, scoring nine goals in 20 Championship games and lifting Rovers into second-place in the table, ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with the Hammers on Tuesday.

That will give the Irons a close look at the 23-year-old and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, there is said to be an acceptance at Ewood Park that they may need to accept a bid worth around £10m in January, or risk losing him on a free transfer in the summer.

David Moyes is a noted fan of Brereton Diaz and wanted to sign him in the summer before eventually settling on signing Gianluca Scamacca.