According to El Liberal, West Ham United will move for Gonzalo Montiel this summer on the condition they preserve their Premier League status.
The Argentine fullback is seemingly set to leave River Plate.
Montiel has a £16 million release clause in his contact. However, El Liberal claim he could leave for less with River Plate affected financially from the global health crisis.
West Ham are in desperate need of bolstering their fullback options.
Pablo Zabaleta will depart the Hammers at the end of his contract. Ryan Fredericks, meanwhile, has struggled with consistency throughout the campaign.
Montiel, capped twice by Argentine, has bags of potential.
El Liberal say West Ham playmaker Manuel Lanzini has spoken to the club’s hierarchy to recommend his fellow countryman as a potential transfer target.
But the Hammers must first preserve their Premier League status.
David Moyes’s side have returned from the suspension with back-to-back 2-0 defeats, leaving the club just one place above the relegation zone on goal difference.
West Ham have some crunch games still to play, including hosting fellow relegation rivals Aston Villa at home on the final day of the season.
The Argentine report adds that Valencia, Roma and a Bundesliga club are also keen on Montiel.
But West Ham will remain the favourites for the 23-year-old should they stay up.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
