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According to reliable West Ham insider ExWHUemployee on Twitter, the club is 'monitoring' Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente who is expected to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the month as things stand.

What's the word, then?

The Spanish forward's contract expires this summer and, despite Spurs reportedly having the option to sign him for another season extension, they appear to have decided to pass up that opportunity meaning he will be released on a free transfer.

The 34-year-old has spent two seasons with Mauricio Pochettino and has registered a record of 13 goals in 66 appearances for the north London club.

His contribution during the last few months of the 2018/19 season was pivotal in their Champions League run as he netted the winning goal in their Champions League quarter-final tie with Manchester City and played a part in Lucas Moura's third goal against Ajax which sent them to Madrid.

A worrying signing for West Ham fans?

Andy Carroll was recently released at the London Stadium, while Javier Hernandez is also being touted with a move away.

So, the Hammers do suddenly seem in need of another striker to bolster their squad.

However, after the signing of Spanish playmaker Pablo Fornals last week, the link to a mid-30s target man way past the prime years of his career is a far less progressive move.

A big-name marquee striker making the move to east London immediately following the 23-year-old former Villareal man's arrival would send a real message that West Ham mean business this season.

Instead, a transfer like Llorente would feel like another misstep from a club who have had a torrid record of signing forwards over the past decade or so - Ilan, Mido and Enner Valencia to name just three.

Whether the deal goes ahead is yet unknown, but it would be an extremely questionable one from a club notorious for abstract signings.