Boost for West Ham as report suggests Burnley will sell Tom Heaton

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West Ham United were linked with Burnley’s Tom Heaton in May, and could now have received a boost in their pursuit of the stopper.

After a campaign which saw both Joe Hart and Adrian struggle to hold onto the number one spot, it would be little surprise if one of new West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini’s top priorities this summer was signing a new goalkeeper, especially with Hart now back at his parent club.

The Hammers boasted the joint-worst defensive record in the Premier League this past season. And while Hart and Adrian cannot be solely blamed for that record, neither seemed to hand the defence the kind of support that they needed – and so, it is unsurprising that the Irons were linked with one of the league’s most reliable stoppers last month.

The Sun reported in May that West Ham were eyeing a £10 million move for Burnley’s Tom Heaton this summer after the Clarets skipper struggled to regain his place in the side after a shoulder injury that allowed Nick Pope to not only establish himself as Sean Dyche’s number one but also nab a place in England’s World Cup squad.

The Sun suggested at the time that Dyche may struggle to keep both men, and now the Daily Mirror has reported on its live transfer blog (09/06; 22:29) that Burnley are ready to let Heaton leave during this window.

The latest update should undoubtedly alert West Ham. Though they were linked with the former Manchester United ace before Pellegrini arrived at the club, he is undoubtedly the kind of target that the Hammers need to be looking at.

There have been few goalkeepers quite as consistent in the top flight over the last few years, and if they could get him for £10 million, it would arguably be a steal.

Not only would West Ham seemingly land themselves an excellent stopper, but his reliability would surely bring the best out of the defence after a year which saw Adrian and Hart often give them little reason for confidence.