West Ham and Newcastle are set to battle it out for Genk and Tanzania striker Mbwana Samatta.
The 26-year-old scored in his side's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday night, while he was top scorer in Belgium's Jupiler Pro League last season with 25 goals.
BBC Sport are reporting that this fine form has attracted the attention of a number of Premier League sides, with the Hammers and the Magpies both interested in bringing Samatta to England.
The forward, who has scored six goals in 13 league games this season, is said to have a £10m release clause in his contract so would represent a low risk transfer for both clubs.
Newcastle have already spent big on improving their front line recently, with Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron all being acquired for a combined cost of around £77m over the past two transfer windows.
Despite this, Newcastle have continually struggled for goals since Steve Bruce took over in the summer.
Watford are the only side to have converted fewer chances than the Magpies this campaign and of their lavish new signings, only Joelinton has opened his scoring account for the club so far.
West Ham have also lacked fire power this season and the signing of Samatta would provide some much needed competition for summer arrival Sébastien Haller.
The Frenchman has scored four goals in 10 league games but has no real rival up front, with 22-year-old Albian Ajeti the only other recognised centre-forward in the Hammers squad.
Manuel Pellegrini would have expected far a greater goal return from the towering Frenchman, especially considering his fee could reach £45m - although he is evidently still adapting to the demands of the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Ajeti has only made two appearances off the bench so far this campaign. Samatta's addition to the Hammers squad would provide some genuine competition for West Ham's record signing, Haller.
Source :
90min
