According to reports in The Sun, Premier League duo West Ham United and Bournemouth are ready to go head-to-head in the race to sign £2m-rated Reading winger Paolo Hurtado this summer.

Following the departure of the unsettled Dimitri Payet during the January transfer window, Robert Snodgrass failing to impress after his arrival from Hull City during the same month and Michail Antonio’s future looking to be in doubt as new contract talks continue to stall, Irons manager Slaven Bilic is looking to strengthen in wide areas at the end of the campaign.

Even though the wide man, who can also play in the centre, has made just six appearances in all competitions for the Royals after moving to the Madejski Stadium from Pacos de Ferreira in August 2015, the Croatian is said to have been impressed with his performances during a loan spell with Portuguese outfit Vitoria Guimaraes this term.

Here are three things West Ham fans need to know about the 26-year-old…

He has enjoyed an impressive season

After initially joining Vitoria Guimaraes on a six-month loan deal in January 2016, the Portuguese club were impressed and decided to take him on loan for the full 2016/17 campaign too.

The winger has scored an impressive nine goals in 35 appearances in all competitions, as well as providing a further three assists, and the side looks set to secure a Europa League football for next season as they currently sit fourth in the Primeira Liga standings.

His strengths

According to WhoScored.com Hurtado, who has often been deployed as a central attacking midfielder by Vitora Guimaraes this season despite being able to play on either wing, has many strengths to his game.

These include his finishing – shown by the nine goals he has in 35 appearances in all competitions this term – his crossing, his ability to hold on to the ball and the key passes he is able to make.

These are attributes that are sure to have caught the attention of Irons boss Slaven Bilic, and he could make his move this summer.

He is a Peru international

Hurtado is a Peru international and has scored two goals in 28 appearances for his country.

He helped keep his nation’s chances of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia alive when he came on as a half-time substitute in the 2-1 win against Luis Suarez’s Uruguay in March, but they still look set to miss out as they lie five points behind an automatic qualification spot and four behind the play-off spot that Argentina currently occupy.

If he did move to the London Stadium, he would become just the fifth Peruvian player to feature in the Premier League.

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