According to reliable club insider @ExWHUemployee on Episode 89 of the West Ham Way radio show, West Ham United are keen to sign Middlesbrough winger Adama Traore this summer.

What's the word, then?

Adama Traore in action for Middlesbrough

Well, speaking on the radio show @ExWHUemployee confirmed that new Irons boss Manuel Pellegrini, who can make the best start to his reign by signing a 25-year-old defender who dominated Marko Arnautovic, is looking to add young players with pace to his squad this summer, and Traore is on his list of targets.

The former Barcelona starlet has often been criticised for his lack of end product with Aston Villa and then Boro in the past, but he finally stepped up and showed what he could do during the 2017/18 campaign as his current side were beaten by his old club in their Championship semi-final play-off tie.

How did Traore do this season?

The 22-year-old showed he is far more than just being quick and great at dribbling as he scored five goals and provided a further 10 assists in 34 Championship appearances.

The right winger tormented many full-backs during the campaign with his direct style too, and according to WhoScored.com he successfully completed 262 of the 336 dribbles he attempted in 36 league games – including the play-off matches.

However, one blot on his copybook was the fact that he was sent off twice during the campaign, and that is something that would need to be sorted if he was to move to the top flight this summer.

Would he be a good signing for West Ham?

He certainly could be, yes.

While the 22-year-old still isn't the finished article yet, his latest season with Middlesbrough showed a real glimpse of the quality and potential that he has.

The winger's speed and dribbling ability would scare opposition defenders in the Premier League, and now he seems to have matured and is less raw than he was before, he could make a real impact for West Ham in the top flight next term.

His arrival at the London Stadium would also be great news for striker Javier Hernandez – who looks set to play a key role under Pellegrini having previously looked likely to leave this summer – given that he will be looking for assists and service in general in order to find the net on a regular basis next season.