According to reports from German media outlet Sportbild, West Ham United are one of five Premier League clubs tracking Werder Bremen striker Max Kruse this summer.

The Irons, along with Everton, Southampton, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion, are said to be interested in bringing the 29-year-old to England following an impressive goalscoring campaign in the Bundesliga, with his team finishing in eighth position.

With Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho once again missing large chunks of the season through injury, Hammers boss Slaven Bilic will likely be looking to sign at least one new striker – and probably more – over the course of the next few weeks.

The east London outfit have already been linked with the likes of Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi this summer, but the Croatian may see the Germany international as an interesting alternative.

Here are three reasons West Ham must win the race to sign Kruse…

They need goals

With Michail Antonio being the club’s top goalscorer in the Premier League after netting nine times this season despite playing a portion of the campaign at right-back and right wing-back, and attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini next up with eight, it is clear that West Ham need a goalscoring striker this summer.

While Andy Carroll bagged eight goals, the Irons seemingly can’t rely on him and Sakho to stay fit and having scored 15 times in just 23 Bundesliga appearances for Werder Bremen last term, Kruse could be the answer.

He isn’t injury-prone

While he did miss the opening 10 league games of last season because of injury – not that it mattered as he bounced back by scoring 15 goals on his return – Kruse has otherwise had few problems during his career to date.

The 29-year-old had been absent for just four games in the previous four Bundesliga seasons and that is certainly something that will impress Irons boss Slaven Bilic as he looks to find a striker he can rely on over the summer.

Price tag

Werder Bremen may have to sell Kruse this summer if they receive an offer of £10.5million due to a release clause in his contract.

Considering Iheanacho and Batshuayi would likely set them back more as two of the most exciting young strikers in the Premier League, the Irons may see a £10.5million deal as more of an attractive proposition given the 5 foot 11 forward's recent impressive goalscoring record.

Do you agree, Irons fans? Let us know below.