West Ham United might be about to make another big-money move before Thursday’s transfer deadline after reports in Spain suggested the Hammers have triggered the €50 million release clause of Celta Vigo forward Maxi Gomez.

The 21-year-old Uruguayan only moved to Celta last summer but made an instant impression, firing in 18 La Liga goals in just 36 appearances as his side finished 13th in the Spanish top flight last term.

Such a move has been mooted for a couple of weeks amid speculation that boss Manuel Pellegrini and director of football Mario Husillos were desperate to add another striker before the 5pm deadline on Thursday.

And reports have since emerged that claim a deal for the exciting attacker is imminent in a move that would see West Ham smash their transfer record for the third time in this window and the fourth time in the past year.

Gomez, who has seven caps for his country, has attracted plenty of interest from across Europe just a season after moving from Uruguayan club Defensor Sporting, and should West Ham see off the competition for his services it would represent something of a coup for the east Londoners.

What is also clear is that the Hammers board continue to back their new manager ahead of the new Premier League season, with the club reportedly targeting a Europa League place.

Husillos’ connections and knowledge of South American football, meanwhile, could prove fruitful again following on from the earlier signings of Brazilian Felipe Anderson and Paraguayan defender Fabian Balbuena.