Cruz Azul are interested in signing West Ham forward Enner Valencia, according to Mexican outlet La Hera.
The report claims the Mexican giants are looking to bring the 27-year-old forward back to Mexico after first joining the Hammers in 2014 from Azul’s domestic rivals Pachuca for £12million.
Now, Valencia could return to Mexico after plummeting down the pecking order at the London Stadium, which saw him move on loan to Everton last summer for the entire 2016-17 campaign.
West Ham news site Claret and Hugh claimed Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has informed the club that Ecuador international Valencia is no longer a part of his plans at the London Stadium.
That could see Valencia move back to Liga MX, but his financial demands are said to be a huge stumbling block in securing a move to Paco Jemez’s Azul.
The 36-time international struggled for Ronald Koeman’s Toffees this season, scoring just three goals in 23 league and cup appearances for the Merseyside outfit.
It seems that a permanent move to Goodison Park is unlikely, after the attacker returned to east London following the Toffees’ final game of the season against Arsenal which resulted in a 3-1 loss at the Emirates Stadium.
Making his debut in the Premier League in August 2014 in a 1-0 loss to Tottenham, Valencia has gone on to make 72 appearances for the Hammers but has managed just 10 goals and eight assists in that time.
Now, with two years remaining on his West Ham contract, Valencia could be set to leave prematurely with Azul looking to profit.