WEST HAM and Huddersfield are monitoring Lokomotiv Moscow sporting director Erik Stoffelshaus.

The German, who only took up his role in the Russian capital in January, has an excellent reputation for finding and developing young talent.

3 Lokomotiv Moscow sporting director Erik Stoffelshaus is wanted in the Premier League Credit: www.fclm.ru

According to sources in Russia, Stoffelshaus has transformed the scouting and recruitment strategies on a limited budget.

Stoffelshaus has spent most of his career at Schalke, first as a coach and then manager before three years working in Canada.

He has exploited his extensive network to recruit Soloman Kvirkvelia, Maciej Rybus, Eder and keeper Nikita Medvedev.

The 46-year-old’s work is already bearing fruit with Lokomotiv eight points clear at the top of the Russian League with ten games left.

3 David Sullivan and David Gold are potentially looking for a sporting director at West Ham Credit: MATTHEW CHILDS

3 David Wagner is used to working under a sporting director from his time in Germany Credit: PA:Press Association

This has been achieved on a fraction of the budget of their rivals including current champions Spartak Moscow and Zenit St Petersburg.

Lokomotiv are through to the last 32 of the Europa League and will face French outfit Nice in February.

The Premier League pair are looking to reshape their technical departments, with someone solely responsible for running the club's on-pitch activities.

Both have identified Stoffelshaus and have been impressed with his work less than a year into his Russian gig.

The Terriers are looking to replace Head of Football operations David Moss, who left the club in October after just five months at the John Smith's Stadium.

The Hammers have Tony Henry as their director of player recruitment but could look to enhance player incomings by luring Stoffelshaus to East London next season.