The Julen Lopetegui era at West Ham is underway, and there could be some interesting signings this summer.

The Spaniard arrives at West Ham with a new vision on how the club should operate and an incredible knowledge of European football.

Lopetegui, of course, knows the Portuguese league well from his time at Porto, and according to The Guardian, West Ham could now target one of the most promising young players in Portugal.

West Ham interested in Marcus Edwards

According to The Guardian, West Ham are now interested in Marcus Edwards.

Edwards is a player that some fans will know well. After all, he’s been lighting up numerous UEFA competitions in recent years, while he’s also a former Tottenham player.

Edwards was sold by Spurs before he was able to reach his potential at Tottenham, but since moving to Portugal he’s looked like a star.

Marcus Edwards’ huge potential

To say that Edwards has massive potential would be an understatement.

In terms of natural talent, there aren’t many players who come close to Edwards, he just needs to add to the physical side of his game and his workrate.

Don’t just take our word for it though, his former Spurs teammate, Paris Maghoma, stated that Edwards could be a future Ballon d’Or candidate just last year when speaking to ESPN.

“Marcus probably tried to nutmeg Harry Kane and probably all of them. He probably got a lot of stick about it, but that’s the type of player he is, he plays with so much freedom and so much joy,” Maghoma said.

“It was just a known thing that Marcus is a mini Messi. He just plays like him, the same was Messi is like Maradona, Marcus is like Messi.

“I personally believe he could be one of the best players England has ever seen, and that’s me being honest. I get slated for this for calling him the best player ever, but I genuinely think he is the best player ever that I have ever seen.”

“If he keeps going and believing in himself, surrounding himself with the right people, there’s no saying he can’t be nominated for a Ballon d’Or.”

Edwards has bags of ability, and perhaps a move to a club like West Ham could be perfect for him to showcase his talent on a bigger stage.

West Ham have a history of helping some of the best English talent develop, and maybe Edwards could be the next great English player to really make a name for himself with the Hammers.