According to ExWHUemployee cited by our sister site Hammers News, West Ham United are tracking five Derby County players with Lee Buchanan their standout target.
The Rams are going through a golden generation when it comes to their academy.
Jayden Bogle and Max Lowe were sold to Sheffield United last summer, while Liam Delap previously joined Manchester City and Kaide Gordon looks set to move to Liverpool.
Now, the latest reports claim West Ham are looking at five other Derby talents.
ExWHUemployee says the Hammers are tracking Jason Knight, Louie Sibley, Morgan Whittaker and Max Bird but their primary target is left-back Lee Buchanan.
The 19-year-old has established himself as a first-team star this season.
Buchanan has started 18 Championship games this term, and he produced a brilliant assist in his latest encounter as the Rams beat Bristol City 1-0 at Pride Park.
His form for Derby has been rewarded with an international debut for England U21s.
Buchanan is quick, aggressive in his forward runs while defensively he has come on leaps and bounds, averaging 1.9 tackles and 3.5 aerial winners per game.
West Ham are said to be looking to build for the future under manager David Moyes.
Players like Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma have moved to the Hammers from the Championship over the past 12 months, and Buchanan is next in their sights.
Derby, meanwhile, face an uncertain future as they are still waiting for the prospective takeover involving Sheikh Khaled’s Derventio Holdings to go through.
The Rams won’t want to lose any more of their top young talent. However, with finances seemingly tight right now, they will ultimately do well to retain their best prospects.
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