Pell’s in the mix for £30m Mitrovic

WEST HAM face stiff competition from Bayer Leverkusen for Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Serbia striker, 24, who is valued at £30m by the Cottagers, has attracted interest from across Europe.

He features prominently on a long list of targets drawn up by Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini to boost his strikeforce.

But German club Leverkusen have jumped to the front of the queue after opening talks to snap up Mitrovic.

The Hammers are currently working on a deal to bring in first-choice forward Maxi Gomez, 22, from Celta Vigo.

But the Spanish club are holding out for his £44m release clause, which is regarded as too expensive by the Londoners.

A double deal for Gomez and midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, 24, for around £50m has also hit the rocks, with West Ham currently not pursuing the latter.

But they are close to pulling off the £25m transfer of Villarreal midfielder Pablo Fornals, 23, with sources in Spain claiming the deal could be wrapped up within days.

The Hammers have already said goodbye to Andy Carroll and Lucas Perez this summer.

And the club are also monitoring West Brom hitman Salomon Rondon, 29, who was on loan at Newcastle last season.

But Mitrovic is said to be West Ham’s main back-up option in the striking department should their bid for Gomez fail.

However, Fulham, who are keen to sell to raise funds for manager Scott Parker to reinvest in the squad, are ready to hold on for the full asking price.

The Cottagers, who were relegated from the Premier League, have their eyes on Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle, 28, and Middlesbrough’s Britt Assombalonga, 26.

Mitrovic, who has four years left on his contract, scored 11 Premier League goals last season. He is also wanted by Turkish giants Fenerbahce.