West Ham's Jordan Hugill could be set for a return to former club Preston, Football Insider report.

It is just 18 months since the forward made the move to London in a deal worth around £10m, and it is believed The Hammers are prepared to cut their losses amid Preston's interest.

According to Football Insider the two clubs are in talks, with a fee of around £3m on the table, meaning West Ham would suffer a £7m loss for a player who played just 22 minutes for the club.

Hugill spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, scoring seven goals in 41 appearances for the club, but his form for Preston prior to leaving is likely the reason why the Lilywhites are keen to bring him back.

In 2017/18 he scored eight and assisted two in 27 appearances, but his dominant displays upfront troubled defences and helped his team to a position just outside the play-offs.

Preston have money to spend and are in need of a striker after Callum Robinson's £6m move to Sheffield United. Alex Neil got the best out of Hugill previously and knows exactly what he can bring to his side.

The Verdict

This is a very good deal for Preston, both from a financial and a footballing point of view.

Hugill was excellent in his last spell at Deepdale and if he can rediscover that form he will lead the line brilliantly for his team. There are not many players like him in the division, he has great physical prowess but also an eye for goal, making him a constant handful for defences.

He wasn't given an opportunity at West Ham and last season at Boro he was in and out of the starting XI so he has been unsettled in the previous 18 months. Back in an environment he knows and a manager he works well with he should get back to his best, and that will make him a key threat for Preston this season.