West Ham United are revamping their recruitment this summer and should look to try and tempt Cardiff City into selling one of their stars.
West Ham have given themselves a major boost in their bid for survival after following up a crucial win over relegation rivals Southampton with a draw at Chelsea.
While there is still work to do yet to secure survival – one more win should prove sufficent – Hammers boss David Moyes will feel confident about completing the job and getting the job long-term in the process.
Co-owner David Sullivan has pledged to rip up the club’s recruitment structure and take a back seat in a bid to try and turn things around amid supporter unrest.
Part of that will surely be getting back to targeting young, hungry players with signings such as Michail Antonio, Aaron Cresswell and Declan Rice among their most successful of recent times.
Moyes has bemoaned a lack of squad depth and pace at West Ham since taking over from Slaven Bilic back in November.
He has been credited with a keen interest in Fulham duo Tom Cairney and Ryan Fredericks. That proves the Scot is potentially looking to take the best players from the Championship.
And he could tick all the boxes with a move for Cardiff’s speed demon winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Still only 25, Mendez-Laing has been something of a late bloomer and was snapped up on a free transfer from Rochdale by Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock last summer.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers youngster has impressed ever since with his electric pace, skill and direct play. He has seven goals from 38 games this season and as many assists to help Cardiff push for promotion to the Premier League.
Mendez-Laing is a former England youth international and is a real athlete with a superb injury record.
With Antonio’s persistent injury problems, West Ham could pick up the ideal player to take up the mantle and prove himself on the big stage.
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