WEST Ham are lining up talks with Chelsea to discuss a possible late January bid for Armando Broja, according to a report by Football Insider.

Broja has shone during his loan spell at Saints this campaign, notching seven goals in 19 appearances, more than anyone else in the team.

That has sparked hopes Saints may be able to land the Chelsea frontman on a permanent deal, something boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has expressed his eagerness to do.

However, this latest report claims the Hammers have now turned their attentions to Broja and are "closely monitoring" his situation and are set to "test the water with a late move" as they look to beat Saints to a deal.

The transfer window closes one week from today.

Football Insider claim West Ham's head of recruitment Rob Newman was in attendance as Saints thumped Brentford 4-1 earlier this month, a game in which Broja scored, and has delivered "glowing reports" on the Albania international to Hammers boss David Moyes.

Asked last week if he is hopeful of concluding a permanent deal for Broja, who is currently on a deal at Saints until the end of this campaign, Hasenhuttl said: "To be honest, it doesn’t affect me massively because I know that he is here until the end of the season.

"We have enough time to talk to them (Chelsea), to talk about our future with him.

“Let this guy play football. Let this guy do his job.

“I think it’s very important for the young players that they can develop their game in a sort of calmness – not in these hectic rumours that are around.

“It doesn’t help any young player, especially not him.

“This is what we try to do, we try to calm everything down because he should concentrate on his job and this is what he is here for.”

Asked whether he got the indication the striker would like to stay at Saints, Hasenhuttl added: “I think he definitely enjoys it here and he should see what he has with this club here. I think he sees this because we gave him a big chance to show up.

“We don’t need for somebody to say thank you for this. He only should do his job and should help us as long as we have the deal.

“The deal is we give you a platform, you give everything you have for this club. This is the deal we have with everybody and then we are a more successful club and he does his good job.”