West Ham United prepared to fork out £40m for Marseille’s 18-goal hitman

West Ham United are reportedly willing to splash out £40m this summer in a bid to sign Belgium international Michy Batshuayi, according to Sky Sports.

The Premier League side, who drew 2-2 with defending champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, are keen on recruiting the Marseille striker as a marquee addition once the current 2015-16 campaign has concluded as the Hammers move into their Olympic Stadium later this year.

The 22-year-old, who has two goals in his two international caps for his country, has found the back of the net an impressive 18 times and provided 10 assists in 42 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 outfit so far this season.

Batshuayi, who began his career with Belgian club Standard Liege, is also said to be attracting interest from the likes of Newcastle United, Stoke City and Tottenham, plus European side Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

West Ham have identified Marseille’s star strikers as one of three priority targets this summer, alongside Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette and Liverpool’s Christian Benteke as the Hammers go in search of finishing in the Premier League’s top four come May.