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Manuel Pellegrini is keen on highly-rated Reims goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to kick off his reign as West Ham boss.

The 25-year-old Guinea-Bissau international - rated at £2million - has also attracted interest from Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez, who is stepping up his own search for another keeper.

Mendy, who is 6ft 5in tall, has earned rave reviews in France, where he has just helped Reims win promotion by conceded just 19 goals in 31 Ligue 2 matches with 17 clean sheets.

(Image: Icon Sport/Getty)

He is considered one of the most under-rated keepers in French football, and has just two years left on his contract.

A number of Championship clubs have been following Mendy, but his camp believe he is good enough to play in the Premier League.

(Image: West Ham United FC/Getty)

Pellegrini is looking for a new keeper with Joe Hart returning to Manchester City following a season-long loan spell and Adrian not convincing the new Hammers' boss of his consistency.

Martin Dubravka has been first-choice at Newcastle in the second half of the season, but he has been on loan from Sparta Prague and it will cost £5m to make his stay permanent.

That has led Benitez to explore alternative options in the French market.

Paris Saint-Germain keeper Alphonse Areola has been in his sights, but he's also been alerted to Mendy.