Former Premier League boss Julen Lopetegui emerges as surprise contender to replace David Moyes at West Ham

Julen Lopetegui has been put forward to West Ham as a potential replacement for David Moyes, talkSPORT understands.

Intermediaries working on behalf of Lopetegui have made it clear to the Hammers the former Wolves boss is keen to make a return to the Premier League.

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Moyes is out of contract this summer, with West Ham insisting that no final decision on his future has been made.

But as talkSPORT reported last week, it is now increasingly likely he will leave at the end of the season.

The Scotsman claimed in December that he had been offered an extension to his contract, but was waiting until the summer to make his decision.

A number of West Ham fans have expressed their frustration of Moyes’ style of play in recent months, and would welcome a new manager to take over.

West Ham are in danger of missing out on European football next season following Sunday’s 5-2 defeat at Crystal Palace.

They missed out on the chance to leapfrog into sixth spot, but remain in eighth place, with Chelsea below boasting three games in hand over them.

Should Lopetegui be appointed, it would be an instant return to England following his Molineux exit.

The Spaniard parted ways with the Midlands outfit in August ahead of the 2023/24 season after voicing his criticism over the club’s lack of transfer activity.

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He took over at Wolves midway through last campaign, where he guided them to safety having taken over when they were embroiled in a relegation battle.

Wolves ended up the term finishing in a respectable 13th place, with Lopetegui winning ten out of his 27 matches in all competitions.

The 57-year-old boasts plenty of pedigree having managed Sevilla, Real Madrid and Spain prior to his spell in England.

His greatest success came with Sevilla, where they won the Europa League in 2020 under his tutelage – beating Manchester United in the semi-final.