Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Wed 3 May 2023 7:00, UK

West Ham have extensively scouted Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Djibril Sow ahead of a potential summer deal, sources have told Football Insider.

The Irons are planning for life after captain Declan Rice with Arsenal intensifying their interest in the 24-year-old ahead of the off-season.

Sow, 26, will enter the final year of his Frankfurt contract next month.

West Ham have sent scouts to watch the Switzerland international on various occasions this season – but he is a player well-known to fans and Irons players after he faced off against the Londoners in the Europa League last term.

David Moyes’ side have been encouraged by reports which suggest the midfielder is set on leaving Frankfurt in the off-season.

They are now ready to make a move for Sow as they prepare for life after main man Rice.

Sow has turned out 41 times for the Bundesliga club this season, scoring four goals.

The midfielder, who has made 36 Switzerland appearances and played at the 2022 World Cup, can play both in a more advanced ‘number eight’ role as well as in a holding midfield berth.

Frankfurt are eighth in the German top flight and set to miss out on European qualification, meaning the likes of Sow and reported Man United target Randall Kolo Muani will consider their futures at the club.

Meanwhile, West Ham could again have Europa League football to help lure high-profile summer targets to the London Stadium.

Moyes’ side face AZ Alkmaar in a two-legged Europa Conference League semi-final from next week, with the winners of that competition securing qualification.

The Irons had been threatened with a possible relegation to the Championship earlier this term, but have allayed those fears by moving into 15th place.

Beyond Rice, Flynn Downes and Tomas Soucek are the only other defensive midfielders on the books in east London.

In other news, West Ham and Leeds race to sign Ligue 1 star.