Reports from Portugal claim West Ham and Newcastle scouts ran the rule over a couple of January targets in Benfica and Porto in recent games.
Hammers representatives watched Mexico international striker Raul Jimenez during last midweek’s Cup game between Rio Ave and Benfica, but wouldn’t have been impressed as their man wasn’t able to do much in the 3-2 loss.
The 26-year-old has started just 4 out of the 21 appearances he has made thus far this term, returning just a single goal.
Alongside their Newcastle counterparts, the West Ham scouts proceeded to catch Porto’s Cup tie against Vitória Guimarães the next day.
While the Hammers watched summer targets – defensive midfielder Danilo Pereira and winger Yacine Brahimi – in the 4-nil affair, the Toons appear to have gone to see striker Vincent Aboubakar.
The Cameroonian hitman has been in lethal form again this term, but his signature won’t be coming cheap or easy to land midway through the campaign.
Deep midfield remains an area the Hammers are looking to bolster, and it appears an offer could be made for Danilo next month.
With less than 2 weeks before the winter window opens, more scouting can be expected of the duo as things are wrapped up on the transfer front.
