West Ham transfer news: Real Madrid join hunt for Dimitri Payet

The French may be delighted with the performances of Dimitri Payet at Euro 2016, but Slaven Bilic and West Ham supporters may be less pleased as their star man lights up the tournament.

Unsurprisingly, his goal-scoring displays in France's opening two games have caught the eye of some of Europe's big guns, with Real Madrid taking a keen interest in the 29-year-old.

The French footballer's exploits "have increased interest in him from Real, who had already been alerted by Payet's superb season in the Premier League", says the Daily Telegraph, which describes the club's manager Zinedine Zidane as a "fan".

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West Ham have handed Payet a new £125,000-a-week contract before the end of the season and are adamant they will not sell. "But that will not stop Real making a move if Payet continues to shine and Zidane convinces Real president Florentino Perez he is worth splashing the cash on."

There would also be space for him at the Bernabeu with James Rodriguez and Isco set to move on this summer, and attempts to lure Eden Hazard to Spain so far failing to get off the ground.

However, Payet could yet find himself playing alongside Hazard if Chelsea manage to prise him away from the Hammers. Earlier this week, the Daily Mirror reported that incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte had been urged to sign Payet, who "is viewed as the sort of signing who could help reignite Chelsea after their nightmare Premier League title defence last season".

But West Ham are so determined to keep hold of him they "won't even put a potential valuation on his head".

West Ham transfer news: Moves for Simone Zaza and Sofiane Feghouli

9 June

West Ham's quest to sign a big name striker this summer continues and the latest European hitman to be linked with a move to the Olympic Stadium is Simone Zaza of Juventus.

However, after failing to land goal scorers including Michy Batshuayi, Alexandre Lacazette and Carlos Bacca the Hammers face another tough task winning over 24-year-old Italy international Zaza.

Italian website, Gazzettaworld, which reveals West Ham's interest in the attacker says Juventus insist that he "is not on the market as they see him as an important part of their future". That is despite the fact that he made only 24 appearances for the Bianconeri last season.

The Londoners will also have to wait until after Euro 2016 to woo Zaza, as he will not consider his future until after the tournament.

But there could be better news elsewhere. West Ham are said to be leading the chase for Algeria winger Sofiane Feghouli, who has been linked with some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League.

Feghouli, 26, is out of contract at Valencia this summer and is expected to move on after six years in Spain, and would prefer a move to England, says ESPN.

"The Algeria international has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool credited with an interest," it reports. "However, West Ham appear to be in pole position to land the skilful winger."

Also on the Hammers' shopping list this summer is Croatian teenager Ante Coric, who could be set to make a splash at Euro 2016.

"Manchester City and Liverpool are among other clubs who have watched Coric's progress recently but West Ham manager and fellow Croatian, Slaven Bilic, is ready to make a move in the next fortnight," reports the Evening Standard, which says a £10m offer for the Dinamo Zagreb youngster is in the pipeline.

West Ham transfer news: Arsenal Vardy deal could seal Walcott exit

6 June

West Ham fans will be waiting with bated breath to discover if Leicester striker Jamie Vardy does decide to move to Arsenal this summer, as it could have ramifications for their own transfer dealings.

According to the London Evening Standard, the Hammers will swoop for Arsenal misfit Theo Walcott if Vardy arrives at the Emirates.

The paper claims: "West Ham are sounding out the possibility of signing Walcott for a fee in the region of £25m, and that the same agency negotiating Jamie Vardy’s potential move from Leicester City to the Gunners are also involved with Walcott’s possible departure."

West Ham are keen to sign a forward this summer and the increasingly-marginalised Walcott, who has yet to master the role of finisher, would find first team opportunities at Arsenal even harder to come by if the Gunners bring in a rival.

However, the Standard notes that Walcott would still "find it difficult" to walk out on Arsenal after ten years, and there could be another barrier to any potential deal. Website Sports Mole notes that Jack Sullivan, the son of West Ham owner David, sent a tweet on Monday denying claims that the club are interestd in Walcott or, for that matter, his club-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

But even if the Hammers do not raid Arsenal this summer they could still land a big name from a big club by signing Manchester United attacker Juan Mata. According to East London's Guardian series, West Ham have enquited about the former Chelsea star's availability.

New UNited boss Jose Mourinho is no fan of the 28-year-old Spaniard and jettisoned him during his last spell at Stamford Bridge. If he decides to do the same at Old Trafford, the Hammers will be waiting.

West Ham transfer news: £17m Bacca deal could still be on

2 June

AC Milan have turned down West Ham's offer of £15m for striker Carlos Bacca, but all is not lost for the Hammers as the Colombian forward remains "open to leaving Milan", reports The Guardian.

The Londonders' made the bid last week, says the paper, and it was turned down at the weekend before the story broke this week.

Despite Milan's rebuttal the door is not closed after the 29-year-old striker's agent, Sergio Barila, reportedly flew to London for face-to-face talks wth the club. He told the Guardian: "Carlos is very happy in Milan because it is a very big club and he has enjoyed his time there so far. But they will not play in European competition next season and that could be a problem."

West Ham will be in the Europa League next term and have the finances to increase their offer. But they also have other targets if their hopes of signing Bacca go up in smoke.

Among the host of players linked th the Hammers are Italy international Simone Zaza and Watford's Odion Ighalo, reports the Guardian.

West Ham's desire for a new striker could mean the end of the road for Diafra Sakho in London. The Senegal international is wanted by Sunderland and the Northern Echo believes a move is on the cards.

It also claims to have the inside track on the Bacca saga and says the former Sevilla striker will sign for the Hammers in a £17m deal opening the way for Sakho to head to the Stadium of Light.

There is more good news in the Daily Express, which says that West Ham believe they can hold off Manchester United, who are hoping to sign teenage defender Reece Oxford. The youngster has rejected a contract offer, sparking rumours of a mult-million bid from Old Trafford.

But a club insider has told the paper: "West Ham have no intention of allowing Oxford to leave and are hopeful that the teenager will sign a new long-term contract in the near future."

West Ham transfer news: £16m for Carlos Bacca, Umtiti deal close

1 June

After finishing seventh in the Premier League last season and with the move to the Olympic Stadium and a European campaign looming, West Ham are determined to cement their place as a "big club" with some shrewd business in the transfer market this summer.

So far, the Hammers have confirmed the capture of central midfielder Havard Nordtveit on a free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach and are close to signing winger Gokhan Tore from Besiktas, reports the Daily Express.

But the paper claims it is up front where West Ham are "conducting their biggest business", with owner David Sullivan ready to sanction an outlay of £30m for a top striker - and so far, adds the paper, the Hammers have made inquiries about 20 different strikers.

They have already been linked with moves for Christian Benteke of Liverpool and Alexandre Lacazette of Lyon, says the Express. There was a bid for Bournemouth's Callum Wilson and the names of Michy Batshuayi, Jonathan Calleri and Arkadiusz Milik are also doing the rounds.

Also this week, the Hammers have reportedly made a concrete offer for AC Milan striker Carloa Bacca, offering the Italian club £15m for the 29-year-old. The news comes from Sky Sports, which reports the offer is likely to be rebuffed as the Colombian forward is "valued at £19m by the Serie A club".

But perhaps they will take £16m? That is what the rather more bullish Daily Star says the Hammers have offered. It also claims that "Bacca's agent will jet to London to see what contract is on the table for his client".

There is even better news in West Ham's hunt for a centre-back, with Sky Sports reporting the club are ahead of Arsenal in the race to sign Lyon's France under-21 defender Samuel Umtiti, described as "one of Europe's brightest young talents".

But will he line up alongside teenager Reece Oxford next season? There have been conflicting reports about his future this week. According to the London Evening Standard, all is rosy and Oxford has "revealed his ambition to cement his spot in the Hammers' first-team next term".

However, Metro is not sure he will still be a Hammer next season, after Manchester United tabled an offer of £10m for his services. It believes West Ham "could struggle to hold on to their highly-rated defender, who recently rejected the offer of a new contract at the club".