West Ham have been regularly scouting Brentford defender Rico Henry in recent weeks, a report from The Athletic has claimed.

Since joining Brentford from Walsall in the summer of 2016, Henry has made 110 appearances in all competitions for the Bees, helping them to the Championship play-off final last season.

The 23-year-old has also played an important role in Brentford's renewed push for promotion this season, and it seems that is starting to generate a good deal of interest from further up the football pyramid.

According to the latest reports, the Hammers have been watching Henry regularly in recent weeks, as they weigh up the prospect of making a move for the left-back.

It is thought that the Premier League club were interested in Henry during the summer transfer window, and although no move was made at that time, West Ham have seemingly continued to monitor the full-back during the first half of this campaign, as they likely weigh up the prospect of a move.

As things stand, there are still two-and-a-half years remaining on Henry's contract with Brentford, securing his future with the Bees until the end of the 2022/23 season.

The Verdict

This could be a really good signing for West Ham, if they can pull it off.

Henry has flown under the radar in comparison to some of his Brentford teammates in recent years, but he has none the less been one of their most effective and influential performers of recent seasons.

As a result, you do feel as though he could be ready for the step up to the Premier League, and with Arthur Masuaku set to be on the sidelines for some time with injury, West Ham could certainly benefit from some cover at left back for Aaron Cresswell, which Henry could certainly offer.

With that in mind, the Hammers may be well advised to try and get this deal in January, to ensure they do not miss out on Henry to another top-flight team, or to a possible promotion for Brentford themselves this summer, which would make it harder to prise him away from the Bees.