Sources: Forward pictured in West Ham shirt as Everton leapfrogged in transfer race
West Ham are in pole position to beat Everton to the signing of newly-available attacker Malcolm Ebiowei, Football Insider understands.
The versatile forward, 16, is on trial at the Hammers and has played for their age-group sides in the past week with a viewing to earning a contract.
A West Ham source has told Football Insider the club have not yet offered a deal to the teenager but he has been pictured in a club shirt and visited their first-team training ground.
Ebiowei is on the radar of Premier League clubs after being released by Arsenal in controversial circumstances.
Football Insider has been told there was a falling-out between the player and the north Londoners' academy coaches before his departure.
West Ham are willing to overlook question marks about the player's work ethic and attitude if they are convinced by his playing potential.
He featured and scored in an Under-16s match for the club before also playing as a substitute in 3-1 Under-18s win against Leicester City.
Amid reported interest from clubs in Germany and France, West Ham may need to move quickly if they are to secure the signing of Ebiowei.
Capped by England at Under-16 level, the rising star has also represented Holland as an Under-15.
His future is up in the air but his ability to play in various roles, including in all three attacking positions behind the centre-forward, make him valuable.