WEST HAM are weighing up whether to make a bid for JarrodBowennext month or risk losing the battle for his signature at the end of the season.
Bowen, 23, is regarded as one of the best talents in the Championship after shining with Hull over the past few seasons.
The winger scored 22 goals last season, and has already struck 16 times for the Tigers during the current campaign to mark himself out as a Premier League player in waiting.
Leicester and Tottenham have been watching him closely.
Everton and Newcastle have also been linked previously.
Meanwhile West Brom and Leeds are also chasing his services when his contract runs out at the end of June.
Because he is under 24, Bowen would still command a fee in the summer.
And West Ham are concerned they may miss out on his services having been caught cold when Leicester signed James Maddison from Norwich two years ago.
That is leading them to consider making an offer in the region of 15million in the hope it might persuade Hull to sell their star player in January, and beating the other clubs to the punch this time round.
The Hammers know they desperately need some young attacking talent with pace in their squad, andBowenfits the profile of player they are looking for.
The Welshman told SunSport yesterday how he wants to test himself in the Premier League, and he is unlikely to sign the new deal Hull have offered in order to push through a move next year.
