Chelsea rival West Ham for in-demand £13m striker

Bayer Leverkusen have admitted Javier Hernandez is often the subject of enquiries and the striker could leave in this transfer window.

West Ham are believed to be in pole position to sign the former Manchester United frontman, with the Daily Mirror claiming the deal is “edging closer, but any announcement is not expected until the end of the week”.

Chicharito is also understood to be on the radar of Chelsea, according to the same source, and the Bundesliga club’s sporting director has confirmed the 29-year-old Mexico international could leave this summer.

“Because of his qualities he is interesting for several clubs, and we often receive enquiries,” Rudi Voller told FAZ. “We are relaxed about this, and something could still happen at a later stage.”

Hernandez joined Bayer after a five-year spell at Manchester United in August 2015 and having entered the final 12 months of his current deal in Germany he could move on.

The Mirror claim the forward has a £13million release clause in his contract and West ham are happy to meet that buyout and make him their highest-paid player after a so-far unfruitful search for a striker.

Olivier Giroud, Michy Batshuayi and Kelechi Iheanacho have all been linked with a move to the Hammers so far this summer.

He scored 26 goals in 40 matches in his first season in the Bundelsiga, before managing 13 in 36 appearances last time around, but their failure to qualify for Europe may see Hernandez leave.