Exclusive: DC United plot swoop to sign West Ham player, mega offer readied
EXCLUSIVE By Wayne Veysey
DC United are plotting a bid to sign West Ham striker Javier Hernandez as a blue-chip replacement for Wayne Rooney, Football Insider understands.
The MLS big hitters are ready to offer the striker, 31, a massive contract to persuade him to move to the United States.
A West Ham source has told Football Insider that the club are aware of strong interest from the US in Hernandez now he has entered the final year of his contract.
Football Insider revealed this week that three MLS clubs have set their sights on signing Hernandez for a bargain fee and sources have explained that DC United lead the race for him.
This comes after Rooney, 33, agreed to quit the big-spending US outfit earlier and join Derby County in January as player-coach.
Hernandez scored for West Ham in their Premier League draw against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend but is in the final phase of his playing career.
His £140,000-a-week Hammers deal ends next summer and he will not be offered an extension by the club anywhere near that level, which comfortably makes him the top earner.
Hernandez has scored 17 goals in 63 West Ham appearances, eight of which came from 28 games last season.
The club-record signing of Sebastien Haller this summer means Mexico's all-time record scorer is likely to be the deputy striker for much of this campaign.