West Ham are lining up a summer move for Galway United winger Jay O Shea, according to reports in Ireland. The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has been a crucial component of the Galway side that has stormed to the top of the table in the Leagu

West Ham are lining up a summer move for Galway United winger Jay O'Shea, according to reports in Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has been a crucial component of the Galway side that has stormed to the top of the table in the League of Ireland and has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

Now the Hammers have emerged as a possible suitor for O'Shea after sending chief scout Roger Cross to watch the 20-year-old in his side's 2-2 draw with Bray Wanderers last weekend.

Midfielder O'Shea, who was named in Don Givens' Under-21 squad for the matches with Spain and Turkey this week, has emerged as one of Ireland's most talented young players since joining Galway in 2007.

The Dublin-born star agreed to re-sign for the club in January after a �400,000 switch to Derby County fell through following Paul Jewell's departure from the Championship club.

But Galway boss Ian Foster has admitted that he expects O'Shea to join an English club this summer.

He said: "It was unfortunate for Jay that the move to Derby didn't work out, but he is a quality player and I have no doubt that he will end up in England in the near future.