West Ham United prepared to splash out £40m on Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United target

West Ham United are reportedly willing to splash out £40m this summer in a bid to sign France international Alexandre Lacazette, 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 Lyon 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 24-year-old, who has 10 international caps for his country, has scored an impressive 16 goals and provided two assists in 37 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 outfit so far this season.

Lacazette; who has been with the French outfit since 2003, was linked to various other Premier League clubs during the recent summer and January transfer windows, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United.

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