Former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is set for talks with West Ham about the vacant managerial position.
The 64-year-old boss of Chinese Super League side China Fortune has been identified as a possible replacement for David Moyes, whose contract was not been renewed.
Chilean Pellegrini managed City between 2013 and 2016.
He led the team to the Premier League title in his first season in charge.
The former Real Madrid boss also guided City to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2016, the only time the club has reached that stage in their history.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan has pledged to appoint a manager with “a proven level of success at the highest level”.
Shakhtar Donetsk manager Paulo Fonseca had been heavily linked the job – including reports he met Sullivan on Monday – but he signed a new contract to stay at the Ukrainian club on Thursday.
Fonseca had also been linked with the vacant Everton manager’s position.
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez also remains of interest to West Ham.
The Spaniard has 12 months remaining on his Newcastle contract and there is an acknowledgement from West Ham that getting Benitez out of St James’ Park is difficult.
