Jermain Defoe will be on his way to Manchester United in a £10million deal this summer if West Ham lose their battle for Premiership survival.
Sir Alex Ferguson has first option on the England Under-21 striker and talks have already taken place about a switch to Old Trafford.
Defoe made an impression on Ferguson by scoring West Ham's winner at Old Trafford last season and robbed them of victory with a late equaliser at Upton Park in this campaign.
The Hammers would want at least £10m, but United believe they could land the 20-year-old for as little as £7m if the east London club are relegated and forced to sell.
Sir Alex has only three established strikers in Ruud van Nistelrooy, Diego Forlan and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and admits he intends to add another over the summer.
A move for Sunderland's David Bellion collapsed last month.
The United boss wants a young striker to fit in with his policy of reducing the age of his squad, and believes Defoe has the ability and mental strength to succeed.
Mirror Sport understands United made an inquiry for Defoe earlier this season but were told he was not for sale. But further interest from the richest club in the world is likely to prove difficult for the Upton Park board to ignore if they find themselves in Division One next season.
Relegation will cost in the region of £20m and would bring enormous pressure to recoup losses by off-loading some prized assets.
Defoe, with seven goals this season, has emerged as one of the country's brightest young talents and would spark a huge scramble for his signature if West Ham agreed to sell.
United have moved quickly to ensure they are first in the queue should that happen.
England coach Sven Goran Eriksson has been impressed by Defoe's displays for the Under-21s and is keen to promote him to the senior squad next season.
There is no question of Defoe being overawed by the prospect of joining a club of the size of United.
He knows David Beckham through his relationship with the England captain's sister Joanne, and played with Rio Ferdinand when the United and England centre-back was at West Ham.
From The Mirror
Sir Alex Ferguson has first option on the England Under-21 striker and talks have already taken place about a switch to Old Trafford.
Defoe made an impression on Ferguson by scoring West Ham's winner at Old Trafford last season and robbed them of victory with a late equaliser at Upton Park in this campaign.
The Hammers would want at least £10m, but United believe they could land the 20-year-old for as little as £7m if the east London club are relegated and forced to sell.
Sir Alex has only three established strikers in Ruud van Nistelrooy, Diego Forlan and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and admits he intends to add another over the summer.
A move for Sunderland's David Bellion collapsed last month.
The United boss wants a young striker to fit in with his policy of reducing the age of his squad, and believes Defoe has the ability and mental strength to succeed.
Mirror Sport understands United made an inquiry for Defoe earlier this season but were told he was not for sale. But further interest from the richest club in the world is likely to prove difficult for the Upton Park board to ignore if they find themselves in Division One next season.
Relegation will cost in the region of £20m and would bring enormous pressure to recoup losses by off-loading some prized assets.
Defoe, with seven goals this season, has emerged as one of the country's brightest young talents and would spark a huge scramble for his signature if West Ham agreed to sell.
United have moved quickly to ensure they are first in the queue should that happen.
England coach Sven Goran Eriksson has been impressed by Defoe's displays for the Under-21s and is keen to promote him to the senior squad next season.
There is no question of Defoe being overawed by the prospect of joining a club of the size of United.
He knows David Beckham through his relationship with the England captain's sister Joanne, and played with Rio Ferdinand when the United and England centre-back was at West Ham.
From The Mirror
