West Ham want to sign Chelsea midfielder Lewis Bate, according to Sportsmail.
However, they face fierce competition for the signature of the England under-19 international from Leeds United, Liverpool and Southampton.
Bate has just one year left on his Chelsea deal and is stalling on a contract extension as he ponders his future.
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The 18-year-old is one of Chelsea’s standout performers at youth level and has been on the fringes of the first team for a while.
With the number of players available in the position at Stamford Bridge, Bate knows breaking into the senior team could be tough.
West Ham could offer him that chance, although he is more likely to play for the under-23s initially should he move.
The Chelsea academy graduate has made the bench three times for the first-team, against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and last season against Sheffield United in the Premier League and Barnsley in the FA Cup.
Hammers manager David Moyes would be keen to hand Bate the opportunity to start playing for the first team sooner rather than later if he shows he is capable.
Declan Rice proved himself at a very young age, and the Chelsea teenager could be tempted to move to West Ham as a result.
The London Stadium outfit are thin in midfield at the moment and, with Mark Noble entering his last season at the club, they need to start thinking of the future.
Bate would be a great acquisition, but they face a huge battle in his pursuit.
Read: 2021 Premier League transfers.
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