Report: New MLS club eye ‘pretty special’ West Ham star

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West Ham United striker Javier Hernandez has apparently emerged as a target for brand new MLS franchise Austin FC.

According to AS, the Texas-based club want to start life with a bang by adding a big name to their squad – and Mexico international Hernandez apparently first the bill.

The £140,000-a-week star (Spotrac) only has one year remaining on his contract at the London Stadium and at 30 years old, could be cashed in on by the Hammers this summer.

The owner of Austin FC Anthony Precourt certainly seems keen. He said (quoted by AS): “Chicharito would be pretty special; I’d be as excited as anyone. That’s the type of player we’ll target, and we’ll give our best pitch.

“I think he’s got a year left on his contract at West Ham and I think other clubs are rumored to be looking at him in MLS. We’ll certainly be active in trying to recruit him in the years to come”.

Colorado Rapids, Real Salt Lake, Columbus Crew and Los Angeles FC are all keen.

TBR’s view

Hernandez is on huge money at West Ham and the club should be considering trying to move him on this summer to free up wages.

The former Manchester United striker has done little to justify his weekly pay since joining the club from Bayer Leverkusen two years ago.

He remains a decent goal poacher, but arguably there is little else to his game.

He is not one to drop deep and get involved in the build up, meaning he can often go missing in games as he waits for chances to score.

Austin don’t debut in the MLS until 2021, meaning there’s a good chance Hernandez will move elsewhere before they can attempt to recruit him.