‘West Ham ready Omari Hutchinson raid after Mohammed Kudus exit’

West Ham are interested in a move to sign Ipswich Town star Omari Hutchinson this summer, according to their former senior scout.

Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout for the likes of Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that scouts have been tracking the 21-year-old at the Under-21s Euros.

This comes as they are preparing to lose Mohammed Kudus before the transfer window closes, and Hutchinson is viewed as his “ideal” replacement.

Football Insider exclusively revealed in May that Hutchinson has a £35million release clause in his Ipswich contract following their relegation from the Premier League.

While the price is seen as a steep one, there is a feeling that the money raised from Kudus’ sale could go towards signing the former Arsenal academy star.

Hutchinson made the £22.5million move to Portman Road from Chelsea last summer, and impressed various suitors with his displays in the Premier League.

West Ham plot Omari Hutchinson swoop

Brown told Football Insider last month that West Ham will listen to offers for Kudus as Graham Potter is prepared to let him go and bring in a replacement.

The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted Hutchinson is viewed as the leading candidate to replace the Ghana international.

“West Ham have been having a look at Omari Hutchinson,” he told Football Insider.

“Scouts were watching him for the England Under-21s and I hear they were impressed by what they saw.

“That tournament has done him a few favours because it’s sparked more interest in his situation when it looked to have died down a bit.

“He’s certainly a talented player and he’s got a bit of something about him.

“In my opinion, he’s still a bit raw and need to become more consistent to really do it at the top level.

“But West Ham will know the positives and negatives and then they’ll come to a conclusion about whether he’s the right man for them.

“If they’re going to lose Kudus, and it looks like they might, they will need to replace him.

“Hutchinson is seen as the ideal fit for that role.

“He’s got this release clause in his Ipswich contract, and if West Ham make a significant chunk of money from the Kudus deal, they can use that to bring him in.”

Joe Gomez update emerges amid ‘fed up’ Liverpool claim

Hutchinson is not the only player the Hammers have been keeping an eye on in recent weeks, as they continue to weigh up a move for Liverpool’s Joe Gomez.

Brown told Football Insider on 27 June that Gomez is “fed up” at Liverpool and could look to leave in search of first-team football elsewhere.

Graham Potter is prepared to offer the centre-back a role in his starting XI as he aims to strengthen his defence after a disappointing season at the London Stadium.

This comes after Brown told Football Insider that West Ham have joined the race for Gomez alongside the likes of Leeds United and Everton.