West Ham United are monitoring the availability of Spanish manager Rafa Benitez.

The veteran coach, who left Newcastle United in summer, are looking at how Benitez is performing in China with Dalian Yifang.

But it is reported by the Mirror that if West Ham were to come calling, he would be very interested in a return to the Premier League.

Benitez only left Newcastle because he was unhappy at the lack of transfer funds he was being given by owner Mike Ashley.

He would have renewed his contract if the club had been sold, but he was eventually replaced by Steve Bruce.

West Ham may have a vacancy in the coming months, especially if boss Manuel Pellegrini cannot turn around their current slide.