West Ham are monitoring Watford left-winger Dion Pereira ahead of a potential summer move, according to the Evening Standard.
The newspaper claim that West Ham are one of a host of English clubs interested in the 18-year-old, and that he could be available ‘for a small fee.’
Premier League rivals Newcastle and Brighton are also credited with an interest, as are Reading, who could join them in the top flight if they win their play-off final on Monday.
Watford are keen to see their prized youngster commit his future to the club and have tabled an offer of fresh terms, but Pereira has yet to put pen to paper on a professional deal.
The academy prospect is considering his options before agreeing to Watford’s latest offer, which has alerted the likes of West Ham and Newcastle to his potential situation.
Pereira made two appearances in the first-team squad during the 2016-17 Premier League campaign, earning cameo appearances off the bench during the defeats to Leicester and Manchester City earlier this month.
But his current contract status could count against Watford, as the player could be available for only a paltry fee, which depending on a tribunal, could be limited to compensation.
The ongoing managerial situation at the club, where Walter Mazzarri became the eighth manager to depart the club during the last five years, could also determine Pereira’s future.
Pereira, and his team-mates, face uncertain roles in the first-team squad amid the regular turnaround of managers at Vicarage Road, and he could pursue a move elsewhere to find more stability.