West Ham United want Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil | OneFootball

West Ham United want Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil during the ongoing winter transfer window and have made enquiries, according to journalist and transfer insider Ben Jacobs.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is desperate to strengthen his squad at the London Stadium this month, and the Hammers have the Black Cats star on their radar having attempted to sign him a year ago.

However, they are not the only club keen on Neil, with Cologne, Coventry City, Sheffield United and Rangers also looking to snap the 24-year-old up.

Neil is out of contract in the summer and Sunderland could look to cash in on him this window so as not to lose him for free.

West Ham could do with his quality, but whether the Englishman will be open to a switch remains to be seen.

He played 48 games last term to help the Black Cats secure Premier League promotion but has only featured three times across all competitions this season.

Neil will be eager to prove himself in the English top-flight, which should see him jump at the chance to move to West Ham.

However, he would want to join a club where he is guaranteed regular playing opportunities.

It remains to be seen whether the Hammers will be offering him that given the options available to Nuno.

Neil is not short of suitors and he will be taking his time before deciding what to do next.

He was one of Sunderland’s best players during their last two promotions, playing regularly when they were in League One and the Championship.

Neil has struggled to replicate that form and an exit from the Stadium of Light club before the end of the window is almost a certainty.

West Ham will keep monitoring his situation and are expected to add one or two midfielders to their ranks following the signing of striking duo Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe.