West Ham United have been linked with a whole host of players in the short time that the World Cup has been underway, with the lack of domestic football leaving the rumour mill to swirl.

Whilst some links are more tenuous than others, what seems more concrete is the long-term interest the Premier League seems to have in Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia.

With the Hammers reportedly interested, it is also claimed that they will compete with Everton and Leeds United for his signature following Senegal’s tournament campaign.

His selection for the national squad was more than merited, as the 5 foot 9 marksman boasts blistering form back in Italy.

Having arrived on loan from Villarreal, the forward has scored six and assisted a further two in just 14 Serie A games.

Steve Moore even took to Twitter to highlight the “great form” he has exhibited, deserving of his call-up.

This follows up a season where he recorded 13 goal contributions for his Spanish parent club, which included a goal against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals.

With Gianluca Scamacca somewhat disappointing since his big-money summer move, and Michail Antonio reaching the twilight of his career, perhaps David Moyes could consider boldly ditching the latter in favour of Dia.

Having scored a career total of 58 goals, the 20-cap finisher is in far more impressive form than the ageing Jamaican, who has just two Premier League goals this campaign.

Not to mention that Thursday night saw the 26-year-old notch in Senegal’s comfortable 3-1 win over Qatar, with a World Cup goal arguably as good as it gets for a striker who has now replicated his 'great form' on the biggest of stages.

He earned the highest SofaScore rating of anyone on the pitch, as despite his few touches of the ball still managed to score and compete in 13 duels for his country.

Clearly a workmanlike frontman boasting speed and immense physicality, surely Dia could come in and act as a direct replacement for the club’s all-time top goalscorer in the Premier League.

At 32 years old, his decline is expected to come soon and sharply.

They could swoop for this World Cup hero in preparation for that day, allowing the east London club to not skip a beat when it does.