Why Evander could become the face of West Ham's Championship rebuild

West Ham United have made contact to sign Evander in a shift from their current transfer policy.

The 28-year-old currently plays in Major League Soccer for FC Cincinnati, where he has spent the past 18 months.

Evander previously spent a year with fellow MLS side Portland Timbers, while he has also played in Europe with FC Midtjylland.

The Brazilian, who has represented his country at age-grade level up to Under-17s, will not come cheap.

But West Ham appear to be in the mix for the talented attacker as they up their transfer search.

Amid a new update from abroad, the Hammers also know what it will take to land Evander.

How much would Evander cost West Ham?

Area Napoli report that West Ham are one of the teams to be showing an interest in Evander.

More than that, the Irons are said to be considering now moving on beyond making an initial approach.

Napoli are another team in for the Rio de Janeiro-born attacker, who is said to be valued at around £15.4million upfront, plus add-ons.

The report adds that Evander is demanding a "significant" salary of £2.1m per year.

That is something that could put certain teams off, with Napoli already seemingly needing to sell to make room.

How West Ham target Evander pushed Lionel Messi all the way

Evander enjoyed quite the season last time out in MLS as he scored nine goals and assisted the same amount.

That saw him named in the MLS Team of the Season, while he pushed Lionel Messi all the way to finish just short of being crowned the best player.

Evander is a number 10 who can unlock defences, as highlighted by his high assist count, as well as scoring himself.

MLS is a level below the Championship in terms of quality, but there is no reason why Evander cannot thrive in that division.

It would be a risk on West Ham's behalf, but if he can replicate those numbers in the English second tier, he would very much be the face of this rebuild project.