West Ham United ready to smash £15m transfer record to land Lyon’s 20-goal hitman

West Ham United are reportedly ready to smash their transfer record in a bid to land France international striker Alexandre Lacazette this summer, according to the Mail on Sunday.

The Premier League side, who currently sit fifth in the English top-flight standings after comfortably defeating West Brom 3-0 at the Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon, are exploring the possibility of trying to make the Lyon forward their marquee signing later this year ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium.

The 24-year-old; who has ten international caps for his country and could feature for France at Euro 2016 later this summer, has scored an impressive 20 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 outfit so far this season, including four assists.

Lacazette, who is also said to be attracting interest from reigning European champions FC Barcelona, is wanted by the Hammers this summer in a record-breaking deal ahead of an exciting new chapter at their Olympic Stadium come the start of the 2016/17 term.

The report suggests that any deal for the Frenchman would surpass the £15m West Ham paid Liverpool for fellow striker Andy Carroll back in 2013.