WEST HAM are looking at Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Djibril Sow as a potential replacement for Declan Rice.
Hammers head of recruitment Rob Newman is believed to have watched the Swiss international in last weekend’s Bundesliga clash with Borussia Dortmund.
And Sow, 26, is on the shortlist if West Ham captain Rice leaves this summer — with Arsenal favourites to land the England star.
Sow was already on the Hammers’ radar after being part of the Frankfurt side that beat them in last season’s Europa League semi-final.
The German side went on to win the competition, earning a spot in the Champions League.
Sow played every minute of Frankfurt’s Champions League games and has four goals in 41 appearances in all competitions.
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He also started all four of Switzerland’s games at the World Cup.
Sow is about to enter the final year of his contract and could be available for as little as £20million — especially as Frankfurt are set to miss out on European qualification.
Rice is reportedly top of an all-star target list for Arsenal ahead of this summer’s transfer window, according to reports.
Arsenal are stepping up plans to revamp the squad after guaranteeing a spot in next season’s Champions League.
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They have placed Declan Rice high on their priority list as they want a high-class midfielder.
Boss Mikel Arteta has made Rice, 24, a top pick for the centre of the pitch due to his technical ability and strength.
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But SunSport has learned Arteta is reconsidering Arsenal’s summer transfer strategy following this week’s painful defeat at Manchester City.
The club had been planning to make just two major signings and had allocated up to £150million to bid for Rice and Moises Caicedo.
But Arteta feels other areas of his squad also need strengthening.
And now they are exploring ways to finance moves for two more defenders and possibly another winger.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
