Thiago Mendes is on West Ham’s radar this summer

Despite West Ham still having a great deal to play for this season, attention is turning towards the summer transfer window as West Ham looks to bolster their squad.

It’s looking increasingly likely that West Ham will have another season of European football to look forward to next year. What competition the Hammers will be competing in remains to be seen.

Due to this season’s European exploits, West Ham’s league form has hit the buffers as David Moyes is trying to juggle his squad across multiple competitions. With a squad that isn’t quite as deep as Moyes needs it to be, West Ham supposedly have their eye on Lyon midfielder Thiago Mendes to help bolster their ranks.

Mendes has been a constant presence in Lyon’s midfield this season. Now 30, Mendes’s contract with the French club is due to run out next season. Lyon would prefer to cash in on the Brazilian this summer rather than lose him for free next year.

Questions will continue to circulate about the future of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. The arrival of Mendes on a cut-price deal could see Mendes be able to slot in alongside Rice, or even act as a short-term replacement if Rice was to move on elsewhere.