West Ham United are plotting a move for Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada this summer according to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee.

What's the story?

Speaking on the West Ham Way podcast, the insider said:

“We are interested in other players from Frankfurt. I believe there’s an interest in the Japanese midfielder Kamada.

“Again, they are going to want a lot of money for him. And he comes with the extra financial incentive of being Japanese. Therefore you get a lot of merchandise sold in Asia, as a result of having a player from that country. So I think there’s interest in him.”

He's not the only player from Frankfurt that the Hammers are monitoring, with recent reports confirming that the club have made a bid for Filip Kostic.

He's an upgrade on Lanzini

The commercial opportunities that come with signing Kamada may be one reason why West Ham are plotting a move, but the quality he's displayed on the pitch proves that the player has earnt one.

In 250 career appearances he's scored 56 goals and assisted 47, and his performances in last season's Europa League are most impressive.

He was crucial to his side lifting the trophy, scoring five goals, and assisting one in 13 games in the competition, including scoring against the Hammers in the semi-final.

Kamada finished as the third highest scorer in the competition, and as a result, has attracted interest from the very side he helped knock out.

Whilst it will be difficult for West Ham to persuade any of Frankfurt's players to leave, due to the club's participation in the Champions League next season, he would represent a perfect upgrade on Manuel Lanzini.

At just 25 years old Kamada is a few years younger than the Argentine and performs better than him in several categories.

Last season the Japanese international made 2.82 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes which compared to Lanzini's 2.77. He also averaged more shots on target per 90 minutes at 0.29 compared to 0.20 for the Hammers' man.

He's been described as "very intelligent" by journalist Josh Bunting, and his ability to score and assist in abundance proves that.

He would be a great investment for West Ham, arguably more so than his teammate Kostic.

AND in other news: Journalist drops "surprise" transfer claim that'll leave West Ham supporters gutted...