Exclusive: West Ham confident of beating Madrid giants to new signing this month
West Ham are increasingly confident of beating Atletico Madrid and European big hitters to the signing of striker Mipo Odubeko, Football Insider can reveal.
The Hammers are working on a deal to land the 16-year-old, who available as a free agent after quitting Manchester United over the summer.
A West Ham source has told Football Insider the club are in talks to sign Odubeko and hopeful a deal can be agreed this month.
This comes after Football Insider revealed earlier this week that the Londoners have offered a "lucrative" contract to the teenage as well as a pathway into their first team.
Odubeko believes a move to West Ham could be best for his career development despite interest from Europe's elite.
In addition to strong interest from Atletico Madrid, Man United have offered multiple new deals to him while Juventus are also very keen.
Capped by Republic of Ireland at Under-17 level, Odubeke is regarded as a rising star with the potential to play first-team football at a high level.
He scored a remarkable 35 goals for United's various youth teams last season and then rejected the club's offer of a new two-year contract over the summer.
West Ham would need to pay a fee for Odubeke even though he is out of contract.
If they are successful in enticing him, they would have to pay a compensation figure to United for his development costs.