West Ham are in talks with Southampton over a potential swap deal involving Kyle Walker-Peters and Flynn Downes, talkSPORT understands.
England international right-back Walker-Peters is into the last year of his contract on the south coast.
Meanwhile midfielder Downes spent last season on loan at St Mary’s with the Saints keen to sign him permanently.
Ex-Tottenham defender Walker-Peters, who has been at the club since 2020, helped fire Southampton back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
But it is now a real possibility he could depart after four years, where he has scored six goals in 157 matches in all competitions.
The Hammers want to add Walker-Peters to their squad to provide further competition in full-back areas as new boss Julen Lopetegui reshapes his squad ahead of the new season.
talkSPORT reported earlier this week how academy graduate Ben Johnson is close to linking up with newly-promoted Ipswich on a free transfer.
Lopetegui is also keen on a reunion with Wolves centre-back Max Kilman who is facing an uncertain future at Molineux.
The Spaniard, who made the 27-year-old his Wolves captain, has already seen the Midlands outfit knock back a £25million offer.
As for Southampton, Downes isn’t the only West Ham player that is on their radar this summer.
We told you last month how striker Danny Ings is being eyed up for a return having struggled for game time in east London.
And it is understood that Southampton are set to sign Burnley defender Charlie Taylor.
Taylor, who featured in 28 Premier League matches last campaign, is available on a free transfer with his contract expiring at Turf Moor.
In a further boost for the Saints, Alex McCarthy is set to stay and sign a new deal despite interest from Saudi Arabia.