West Ham United are reportedly keen on signing the Lille midfield ace.

According to a report from the Sunday Times, West Ham have made an enquiry for Lille midfielder Thiago Mendes, and if Manuel Pellegrini manages to bring the Brazilian to the London Stadium this summer, it could turn out to be a real coup for the Hammers.

Despite the addition of Jack Wilshere, central midfield will still be an area where Pellegrini will want to strengthen, with Mark Noble on the wrong side of 31 and Cheikhou Kouyaté’s performances last season coming under scrutiny.

The 26-year-old Lille ace is a deep-lying midfielder by trade, and plays with a certain kind of tenacity and aggression that makes him ideally suited to the robust nature of the Premier League.

Being Brazilian, he is also comfortable when in possession of the football, and he possesses an impressive array of passing.

The 5ft 9in midfielder has energy in abundance, and he would add a renewed sense of vigour and drive to West Ham’s midfield.

He would be an undoubted upgrade on the ageing Noble, and Pellegrini should not hesitate to bring him to east London.

According to the Sunday Times, Mendes is valued at around £18 million, and in today’s market, that would represent excellent value for money for the Hammers.

West Ham will reportedly not have things all their own way in the race for the Brazilian ace, however, with Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town also interested in obtaining his signature, according to the Times.

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