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West Ham are lining up a summer move for Manchester United right-back Antonio Valencia, according to The Sun.

The Hammers could see Pablo Zabaleta leave the club and Valencia has been identified as a potential replacement, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

What's the word?

The Sun claim that Zabaleta could retire from professional football in the summer and seal a return to Manchester City to take up a role behind the scenes and Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini is subsequently seeking replacements.

Valencia has yet to discuss a new contract at United, despite being at the club for a decade.

The 33-year-old has found himself out of favour under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, playing just once in the Premier League during his reign, as he captained the side in the 2-0 win over Newcastle United.

By comparison, Zabaleta has made 19 Premier League appearances this term.

Valencia earns around £100,000-per-week but, The Sun report, a free transfer would bring those wages within the Irons' budget.

Never learn

West Ham have long been seen as a retirement home for ageing veterans.

Zabaleta has been an excellent servant to the club since his move from City in 2017 but he is not the most dynamic of full-backs.

Repeating the same trick twice by trying to bring in Valencia does not appear to be the smartest move, particularly when there a number of hungry young full-backs currently on the market.

Crystal Palace's Aaron Wan-Bissaka may be beyond the Irons' budget but Max Aarons, at Norwich City, has made a breakthrough this season and could well take to the Premier League like a duck to water.

Aarons, at just 19, has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season and would show the Hammers are looking to the future instead of turning to the past.

Valencia is clearly a very good footballer and remains United captain but he is not the man the Irons need to take them forward.