West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce was in Belgium on Sunday on a scouting mission.

The Telegraph says Allardyce travelled to Belgium on Sunday to watch Anderlecht take on Standard Liege.

It is believed Allardyce was particularly keen to take a close look at Anderlecht's Cheikhou Kouyate, who can play in defence or midfield, and highly-rated Standard striker Michy Batshuayi.

There is a £6.5million release clause in 20-year-old Batshuayi's Standard contract, but he has also attracted the attention of Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton and PSV Eindhoven.

Both Kouyate and Batshuayi fit into the transfer strategy co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold want to move towards, rather than signing older players on high wages.