West Ham transfers: Man Utd enter early-stage striker talks as David Moyes looks to solve problem position

Reports claim West Ham United are interested in Anthony Martial and are being kept informed of the situation by Manchester United.

The 27-year-old has been with the Red Devils since 2015 when the Old Trafford giants paid Monaco £36m for his signature. The France international is about to embark on his ninth campaign for the north-west giants. However, his future at the club is far from certain following the capture of Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta.

Manager Erik ten Hag has also added England’s Mason Mount to his ranks this summer.

But he lacks out-and-out strikers, with Marcus Rashford the undisputed number one in that position.

Martial has scored 62 goals from 196 Premier League appearances and 88 in all competitions.

But his game time has dwindled in recent seasons and he was loaned to Sevilla for the second half of 2021-22.

A series of niggling injuries has not helped, with only 26 top-flight starts for United across the past three seasons.

It seemed as though the Frenchman’s days at the club were numbered until recent reports claimed Ten Hag had made a U-turn on his future.

It appeared as though the Dutchman saw Martial in his attacking plans for 2023-2024.

However, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook has given a new spin on the subject, stating the Hammers have ‘registered their interest’.

READ MORE: West Ham plot insane hijack of already-agreed move, with Italian giants under threat amid transfer ‘issues’

The East End outfit certainly have funds at their disposal after the £105m sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

But it remains to be seen whether United decide they have enough firepower to cope with the rigours of the Premier League and Champions League.

Martial talks at very early stage

The Hammers struggled domestically last season, finishing 14th. But they did pick up a trophy, with a stunning success to claim the Europa Conference League.

Scoring goals was a major problem in the league, with only 42 bagged from 38 games. And David Moyes had yet to add an attacker to his ranks during the summer.

Landing Martial would be a real coup but, as the report outlines, there is still a long way to go before he might wear claret and blue.

“Talks are still at an early stage and there is no guarantee Erik ten Hag would sanction the departure of the French striker with United short of out-and-out No.9s,” Crook added.

“The Red Devils may also struggle to command a big fee for Martial, who is out of contract next summer.

“But talkSPORT has been told West Ham have asked to be kept informed on the 27-year-old’s situation.”

Harry Maguire looks set to move to the London Stadium outfit from Manchester United.

And it has been reported that James Ward-Prowse might join him from relegated Southampton.

But it is goals that West Ham fans crave as they will operate in both the Premier League and Europa League this term.

Martial knows his way to goal but further injury problems have dogged his pre-season and he has yet to kick a ball in anger.

He has just one year left on his contract and so United would not be able to set his price tag too high.

READ MORE: Man City twist West Ham arm with new Paqueta bid to include major sacrifice in part-exchange