According to O Jogo, West Ham United are interested in signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia in this summer's transfer window.

What's the story?

West Ham have not yet guaranteed their Premier League position for the 2018-19 campaign, but the Hammers took a big step towards top-flight survival by beating fellow strugglers Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

It is understood that plans for this summer's transfer window are well underway, with West Ham prepared to spend in a bid to avoid another difficult season.

According to O Jogo, the London club are closely monitoring the performances of Sporting midfielder Battaglia, with the 26-year-old identified as the perfect player to boost David Moyes' options in the middle of the park.

It would not be a surprise if West Ham, who have also been linked with Bournemouth's Callum Wilson, faced a battle from a number of clubs if Sporting decided to sell, but the appeal of London would place the Hammers in a strong position.

What are Battaglia's credentials?

The former Argentina Under-20 international is valued at £5.9m by transfermarkt.co.uk, and that is not a figure that would put West Ham off this summer.

[ad_pod ]

It has been a busy campaign for the midfielder, who has scored three times and registered three assists in 46 appearances in all competitions for his Portuguese club.

Battaglia actually started his professional career with Huracan in Argentina, before a short spell at Racing Club led to a move to Braga in the summer of 2014.

The Argentine moved to Sporting in last summer's transfer window, and his performances throughout the season have reportedly attracted a host of interest.

Ar 6ft 1inches, Battaglia certainly has the physical attributes to operate in the Premier League, and it could well turn out to be a bargain buy for West Ham at the end of the season.