West Ham United are planning to replace sacked director of football Mario Husillos, with former Arsenal chief scout Steve Rowley among their early targets.

Husillos left West Ham with Manuel Pellegrini and the club want to replace him with a new man to take charge of transfer strategy and work closely with returning manager David Moyes.

Rowley, who was a close confidant of Arsene Wenger, is one of the leading names in the frame and is available after leaving Arsenal around two years ago.

It is believed 61-year-old Rowley also has interest from elsewhere in the Premier League and from overseas, and that he now feels the time is right to consider a role at a new club.

Before leaving Arsenal as part of a backroom overhaul, Rowley had spent more than 35 years associated with the Gunners and had earned a reputation as one of the most respected scouts in the Premier League.

It is unclear how quickly West Ham will attempt to replace Husillos, but Moyes will get a major say in the next appointment and has made it clear he is willing to work with a director of football or somebody in a similar role.