Walker-Peters, who is twice capped for England, can play comfortably on both flanks and would add competition in the full-back areas for Lopetegui. Last season under David Moyes it was Vladimir Coufal and Emerson Palmieri who mostly played in the full-back positions, with Walker-Peters seen as a player who could push for a starting place.

He has one season left on his contract with Southampton, who would likely also pay a fee for Downes if Walker-Peters were to move to West Ham. The deals, however, may be structured separately.

Walker-Peters has been at St Mary’s for four full seasons, having initially joined on a six-month loan from Tottenham in 2020. It was while at the club that he won his England honours, with Gareth Southgate playing him at right-back but highlighting his versatility.

After relegation from the Premier League a year ago he stayed with Southampton and played 43 matches in the Championship last season including the play-off final win over Leeds United at Wembley.

Lopetegui has also targeted Wolves centre-back Max Kilman to bolster his back line but there has been no agreement over a fee for the 27-year-old he worked with at Molineux.

Meanwhile, Birmingham have agreed a deal for Alex Pritchard to join Turkish club Sivasspor. The 31-year-old followed Tony Mowbray to St Andrew’s during the January window but has been allowed to join the Super Lig club following relegation to League One.