West Ham join race to sign Vydra

West Ham United are in the market for Udinese striker Matej Vydra, as they look to recruit more firepower ahead of the new season, TalkSport understands.

Andy Carroll, who last month made his move to Upton Park permanent, is struggling to reach match fitness for the club’s opening fixture against Cardiff City leading Sam Allardyce with only Ricardo Vaz Te and Modibo Maiga as his only available first team strikers.

The Hammers’ boss had been linked with a move for former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, but any potential deal is a long way from being completed.

Vydra spent last season on loan with Watford, where he scored twenty-two goals in thirty league appearances, form which saw him named Championship Player of the Year.

Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion have also been linked with a move for the Czech Republic international, though the London club are in pole position to secure his services.