West Ham are free to sign ASJ Academy graduate Agor Chukwudi, according to All Nigeria Soccer.
The report claims West Ham have lodged a €200k bid to bring the 17-year-old defensive midfielder to the Olympic Stadium.
And Emeka Amajiriaku, the CEO of ASJ Academy, has confirmed they are ready to accept West Ham’s bid for the youngster.
He said: “West Ham offered Agor Chukwudi a striaght contract without him having to undergo trials, very soon he’ll turn 18.
“We are studying the offer and it is very likely we will accept it. We are interested in the player’s development and not the money that is being offered.”
Own Goal Nigeria claimed that Sporting Lisbon were also tracking the player earlier this month, but reports from Portuguese outlet Record claim Sporting will not be looking to sign the Nigerian, which effectively leaves West Ham as the only club prepared to snap him up.
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is earning a reputation of giving youth a chance since arriving at West Ham.
The Croat handed Reece Oxford his first team debut against Arsenal on the opening day of the season and also brought in Martin Samuelsen, who is expected to play a part in the first team this season after impressing on loan at Peterborough.