West Ham target Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal as Sebastien Haller replacement, Aston Villa close in on Marseille midfielder Morgan Sanson

West Ham are considering an offer for Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal as they step up their pursuit of a replacement for Sebastien Haller, talkSPORT understands.

Haller joined Ajax for a £22.5million fee earlier this month following a torrid 18 months at the London Stadium, where he managed just 14 goals and three assists in 53 games for West Ham.

David Moyes is has revealed he is on the hunt for a replacement and said there has been contact with ‘four or five’ strikers already over a switch to his Hammers side.

According to talkSPORT’s transfer guru Alex Crook, one of those names is Oyarzabal, who played under Moyes at Real Sociedad for a year from 2014.

“They have been linked to a number of strikers having sold Sebastien Haller in the transfer window,” Crook told the White and Jordan show.

“Four or five players have been scouted and I know they have had an offer for Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri rejected and have also spoken to Reims about Boulaye Dia.

“Josh King is another player who David Moyes still rates very highly, but his wages demands are too excessive at this stage.

“A new name in the frame that I’m hearing today is Mikel Oyarzabal, who played under David Moyes at Real Sociedad.

“He’s 23 years old. A Spaniard, who’s scored 50 goals for Sociedad.

“He can play outside so would suit that system with Antonio very much the man up front.”

Meanwhile, Crook also revealed that Aston Villa are close to finalising the signing of Marseille midfielder Morgan Sanson.

The 26-year-old has been on Marseille’s books since January 2017 and has previously been linked with Villa’s Premier League rivals West Ham.

The Ligue 1 outfit are prepared to sell Sanson as they have their eye on making new additions in this month’s transfer window.

“Aston Villa are closing in on Morgan Sanson, the French Under-21 international that we spoke about yesterday,” Crook said.

“Marseille are ready to cash in to fund their own move to sign the Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik, who has been linked with numerous Premier League clubs in recent transfer windows.

“I know West Ham wanted him in the summer and they were quoted £25m.

“If Villa are going to get for around £16m I think it would be seen as a bargain.”