West Ham summer target Maxi Gomez last night grabbed his first ever international goal for Uruguay against Thailand to round off a 4-o win over Thailand in the China Cup final.

The Celta Vigo striker scored in the 88th minute and it was not among the most spectacular he will ever manage. His touch on the edge of the box took a big deflection before finding the net.

However, that was of no consequence to the front man who celebrated on Twtter afterwards before returning to Spain for a crucial game against Villareal at the weekend.

Gomez’s release clause with his club reduces to £22 million should they be relegated and Vigo are currently locked into the relegation zone – being third off bottom.

They are now four points behind Saturday’s visitors and defeat at home would make a Great Escape increasingly difficult with just nine games of the season left after the clash.

That can only be of benefit to the Hammers who continue to track the club’s situation with understandable interest given the possible financial advantages on offer should they be relegated.

With injured Andy Carroll now looking certain to leave at the end of the campaign, Gomez has been the most discussed of the Hammers striker targets although there has been plenty of what the club believe is “agent talk” about other interest in recent weeks.