West Ham look set to miss out on Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic as he turns favourite to join La Liga side Real Betis.
The 24-year-old Serbian has been on the radar of Manuel Pellegrini and was identified as a target before the summer transfer window commenced.
With Lucas Perez departing for Deportivo Alavés and Andy Carroll being released, it leaves the Hammers short of strikers.
Marko Arnautovic has committed his future to the club, but Mexican striker Javier Hernandez also looks likely to leave this summer, which would leave Pellegrini with just one striker at his disposal.
Mitrovic scored 11 goals in 37 Premier League appearances for a struggling Fulham side last season, hence the interest from West Ham, but Real Betis look likely to capture the signature of the Serbian.
Pellegrini has suggested that the striker position is now the next target to sign, but Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez is top of his list, which leaves Mitrovic open for other clubs.
However, signing Gomez appears to be a difficult task for the Hammers as Celta Vigo are reluctant to sell unless a club meets his release clause, and La Liga side Valencia are also interested in capturing his signature to bolster their Champions League chances for next season.
By Frankie Levin (@FrankWHUFC)
[Featured image from skysports.com]