West Ham United are leading the race to sign Adam Armstrong this summer, according to reports...

What's the word?

The Sun claimed that the Irons are among the frontrunners to secure the prolific Blackburn Rovers talisman ahead of next season.

It is believed that the Championship outfit are trying to keep hold of the 24-year-old by offering him a lucrative new deal, although there is interest from several top-flight clubs, including Everton and Brighton.

Armstrong's current contract is set to expire next year and months of negotiations haven't convinced him to sign new terms at Ewood Park. He is likely to cost any interested suitor around £25m.

Shades of Aguero

The Hammers haven't always had the best success when poaching strikers from the lower echelons of the English pyramid - Jordan Hugill being the major case in point - but Armstrong could well be the exception.

The 5 foot 6 pocket dynamo has scored a whopping 29 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions this term, adding to his tally of 17 from 2019/20, as per Transfermarkt.

Truth be told, he has scored goals wherever he's been, having also bagged 20 times in 40 appearances for Coventry in League One prior to his switch to the Lancashire giants.

There will likely be plenty of question marks over whether or not he can step up to the next level but his rise from many a lower league loan spell to Rovers does provide further encouragement.

[snack-amp-story url= "https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-and-the-latest-gossip" title= "Read the latest West Ham news, transfer rumours, gossip and more!"]

Furthermore, Hammers legend Joe Cole is a massive fan of his, having been at the Ricoh Arena at the same time.

"Armstrong reminds me of Aguero in a way, he's of the build and he's hungry for goals," the former England midfielder told Coventry's official website (via efl.com). "In a lovely way, he's selfish for goals and has the ingredients to be a top player and go on to score many more goals."

But could Moyes genuinely clinch his own Aguero in Armstrong?

A further look into his game could certainly suggest so, and he'd only have to be half the player of the Manchester City monster to be a hit in the top flight.

No player has fired off more shots per game in the 2020/21 Championship than Armstrong (4.7), so it's hardly a surprise to see him amongst the most lethal finishers in the division, whilst he has 0.27 goals for every shot on target.

Tony Mowbray, his manager at both Blackburn and Coventry, told The Athletic that his tactical flexibility to play in many systems is a very attractive prospect, saying: "His explosive pace at the top end of the pitch allows you to play both ways."

The 57-year-old added: "To not be overly concerned if you’re pinned back around the edge of your box because one pass releases pressure to someone like (Harvey) Elliott to play the pass that he can hit, just leaving it in the space for the speed and dynamic movement of Armstrong — it’s a devastating effect for the team."

The 24-year-old is in the same mould as Michail Antonio in terms of being a bundle of energy and power up top, so he should have no problem in fitting into Moyes' system.

Therefore, on the above evidence, David Sullivan and the Irons hierarchy must look to take a bold gamble on the prolific marksman this summer - Armstrong could well become West Ham's very own Aguero.

AND in other news, Irons set for huge boost as major Rush Green news emerges, fans will be buzzing...