West Ham United and Crystal Palace are two of the Premier League sides who have been linked with Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater.
The race for Danny Drinkwater appears to be hotting up as the transfer window edges towards its final week. Although amid reported interest from a number of Premier League clubs, West Ham United have been trailing the England international since the start of the summer.
According to the Telegraph in April, West Ham were weighing up a move for the understandably frustrated Drinkwater, who made just five Premier League starts after joining Chelsea last summer for £35 million.
And the Mirror is now reporting that the Hammers are set to step up their interest in the former Leicester City favourite, who will be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge by Maurizio Sarri.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side are not short of competition at present. But their chances of landing Drinkwater could get a little better should Crystal Palace, one of the other clubs allegedly keen on the former Manchester United youngster, land an alternative target.
Haber7 claimed on Monday that Palace have agreed a £12 million deal to sign the three-time Brazil international Josef de Souza from Fenerbahce. The 29-year-old is a ball-winning defensive midfielder who is similar in size and stature to Drinkwater. It is unlikely that Roy Hodgson needs both.
So West Ham will be hoping that Souza is posing at Selhurst Park in the next few days as Pellegrini looks to put the finishing touches to his own squad.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
