West Ham United are closing in on Middlesbrough utility Matthew Bates.

The Evening Gazette says the Hammers may have emerged as favourites for the signature of the 22-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of this month.

Bates had been expected to agree to a move to Wigan Athletic, who are also prepared to make him a lucrative offer.

But the departure of Latics manager Steve Bruce to Wearside may have thrown this potential link-up into the air.

Bruce may yet be keen to try to take Bates to Sunderland, though West Ham's positive approach could turn Bates' head towards a London switch.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has regularly given chances to his young players with the result that lads like Jack Collison and James Tomkins have become established Premier League stars.

So Bates knows that if he goes to Upton Park, he will get a fair crack of the whip.