West Ham leading chase to sign Leeds ace

West Ham are leading the chase to sign Leeds' highly-rated rated winger Max Gradel.

Gradel took the Championship by storm last season when he netted 18 goals and was voted the club's player of the season.

But the talented 23-year-old is out of contract with the Yorkshire club next summer and Leeds do not want to see him walk away as a free agent.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is looking to build a team that is good enough to bounce straight back into the top-flight and feels the Ivory Coast international would be a valuable addition to his squad.

Swansea have also been strongly linked with a move for Gradel following their promotion into the Premier League, but West Ham now look the favourites to clinch his signature.