Valencia favourites to sign Maxi Gomez over West Ham

West Ham fear Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez will snub a move to the London Stadium and join Valencia this summer, claims The Guardian.

The Hammers have not had a bid accepted by Celta contrary to reports stating otherwise and the Spanish outfit are using interest from other clubs to drive up their asking price.

Gomez has a £45m release clause in his current deal but Celta are prepared to sell the 22-year-old for less than that this summer.

Valencia are also in the race for the Uruguay international, who is currently away with the national team at the Copa America in Brazil, and are considered the frontrunners for his signature.

West Ham were interested in raiding Celta for Gomez and midfielder Stanislav Lobokta but are now only in the running for the former after signing Pablo Fornals from Villarreal last week.

No decision on his future is expected from Gomez until after the Copa America, though West Ham fear he will opt to remain in Spain and join Valencia.

Despite greater exposure in the Premier League, Valencia are able to offer Gomez the chance to play in the Champions League next season.

Gomez would also hope to be a guaranteed starter at his next club and that is currently not a forgone conclusion at West Ham with Marko Arnautovic still at the club.

The Celta striker is only one of six players to have scored 30 goals over the past two seasons in LaLiga and the youngest by 1973 days.