West Ham are in advanced talks with former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui, talkSPORT understands.
Lopetegui is now the clear front-runner to replace David Moyes at the London Stadium and there is confidence on both sides a deal is close.
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Lopetegui is set for a return to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
The Hammers have also held talks with Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, who was previously linked with Liverpool.
talkSPORT reported last month that Moyes is increasingly likely to leave West Ham at the end of the season.
He is set to depart having guided them to Europa Conference League glory and top-half finishes in the league.
talkSPORT understands Moyes is unhappy about the club lining up potential replacements while he is still in a job.
Club technical director Tim Steidten has agreed to avoid the the first-team dressing room until the end of the season.
Speaking ahead of their trip to Chelsea, he was asked if this was to help keep players and staff focussed on their final games: “Absolutely.
“We don’t want any distractions, we’ll keep our eye on the ball. Tim’s got his job to do, I’ve got my job to do with three games to play, so I want to keep focussed on those games.”
Lopetegui will arrive in east London with Premier League experience to his name given his encouraging spell at Wolves.
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Moyes looks set to be coming to the end of his West Ham tenureCredit: Getty
Following previous stints at Real Madrid and Sevilla, the Spaniard arrived at Molineux in November 2022.
He guided Wolves to a 13th place finish in the Premier League but left the club last August after criticising their lack of summer spending.
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Lopetegui has been out of work since but could be approaching a return this summer ahead of next season.
West Ham sit ninth in the Premier League and four points off the top seven to leave European qualification in doubt.
Defeat on Sunday at Chelsea, who are ahead of them by two points with a game in hand, could all but end their chances of playing on the continent next season.
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