Members of the West Ham hierarchy are still trying to convince David Sullivan to pull off an ambitious coup by appointing Ruben Amorim as manager, talkSPORT understands.
Sullivan is in advanced talks with former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui, as he looks to replace David Moyes as manager after four-and-a-half years back in the London Stadium hotseat.
But West Ham legend Mark Noble and technical director Tim Steidten believe hiring Sporting Lisbon head coach Amorim would send out a major statement of intent.
Amorim, who has a release clause in excess of £10million, flew in for talks with Hammers owner Sullivan last month.
Those talks led to a backlash back home in Portugal, with Amorim later apologising to Sporting and to fans for agreeing to meet with the London club while his current side is still fighting Benfica for the Primeira Liga title.
However, despite appearing to push back on leaving for West Ham and links with replacing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, it is believed the 39-year-old coach remains keen on a move to the Premier League.
The £10m price tag appears to be a barrier for Sullivan, with Lopetegui seen as a more affordable option, being free, having not held a job since his departure from Wolves in August 2023.
The Spaniard would also bring with him a host of experience at the top level from previous stints in charge of the Spain national team, LaLiga giants Real Madrid and his Europa League success in charge of Sevilla.
Amorim would represent a bigger risk, but as one of the game’s most highly-rated young coaches his appointment would also be a huge statement for West Ham as they look to build on last season’s Europa Conference League victory and this season’s run to the Europa League quarter-finals.
Moyes, meanwhile, has made it clear he is not entirely happy about the club openly courting his replacement while he’s still in the job.
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The experienced Scottish manager’s contract in east London expires in the summer and it looks certain he will be out the door when it ends.
But he insists he and his players are not being distracted by the ongoing gossip over his future as they fight for another campaign in Europe.
West Ham currently sit ninth in the Premier League table, but are only five points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United.
“Tim [Steidten] has his job to do but managers have their boundaries,” Moyes said on Friday ahead of Sunday’s clash against Chelsea.
“We don’t want any distractions, we’ll keep our eye on the ball. Tim’s got his job to do, I’ve got my job to do. We’ve got three games to play, so we want to keep focused on those games.
“The most important thing for me is we keep the players focused. I don’t want anything to distract the players. Any manager at any club’s situation will be distracting to players in some way. They have been really good.
“We’re only a few weeks until the end of the season and we’ve made it very clear for a long time that there will be a decision at the end of the season and we’re not getting away from that.
“We’re going about our jobs. My job is to win the games and do everything I can to do that.”
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Moyes has been adamant he would still be interested in carrying on, if asked by the club, and asked if he still had the appetite for more success, he said: “Absolutely!
“Football hunger? I’m a bit embarrassed you asked me that question – for you, because I’m a football nut.
“I love my football, I go to games, watch games. I love it, I really do. So I’ve got a great hunger for football.”
When questioned as to whether or not that hunger extends specifically to West Ham, Moyes replied: “Absolutely, yes”.
When pressed further about his future, he added: “I said to everybody that we’ll make a decision at the end of the season.”