West Ham United are hoping to hijack Everton's pursuit of Idrissa Gana Gueye.

The Sun is reporting that Slaven Bilic is keen to add some steel to his midfield and sees Aston Villa's Gueye as the perfect player to bring that to East London.

Everton have already met Gueye's release clause of £7.1million but the Hammers are prepared to match the offer while possibly increasing personal terms in a bid to lure the Senegal international to the Olympic Stadium.

Gueye, who is also wanted by Marseille, was one of the very few shining lights in an otherwise gloomy relegation season for Villa and is certain to leave the West Midlands following their drop to the Championship.