West Ham's interest in Leicester City star Luke Thomas is genuine, according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs.

David Moyes wants to bolster his left-back department and the 21-year-old has emerged as a potential option for the Hammers.

What's the latest news involving Thomas?

According to the Guardian, West Ham are 'considering' a move for the youngster, who's made 61 appearances for his boyhood club since breaking into the first-team, but he is far from a guaranteed starter.

GiveMeSport The Verdict

Leicester also have James Justin and Timothy Castagne at left-back, with their presence restricting him to just 33 Premier League starts across the last two seasons.

As a result, the London Stadium outfit are keen on offering Thomas a route out of the King Power Stadium, with Aaron Cresswell the club's only senior left-back in the squad.

The Hammers are also interested in Eintracht Frankfurt man Filip Kostic, who's shone in the Bundesliga over the last couple of years, but Jacobs confirmed that Moyes is still keeping a close eye on Thomas.

What did Jacobs say about Thomas?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "The West Ham interest is real, but the price tag is a challenge and I think that Leicester would hold out for at least £20m or a little bit more.

"It remains to be seen whether West Ham would pay that, so that's one to watch."

Would Thomas start for West Ham?

If West Ham end up signing both Thomas and Kostic, the former will have an intense battle on his hands to play regular football, which could prompt him to stay with Leicester.

But if Thomas proves the only left-back arrival before September's deadline, then he would surely fancy his chances of at least putting up a good fight to become Moyes' number one.

Cresswell has occupied that role for the last eight seasons, but mistakes have crept into the 32-year-old's game, notably when he was sent off against Lyon and Frankfurt in consecutive rounds in the Europa League.

His form highlights why Moyes is in the market for at least one more left-back, although regardless of his performances, West Ham need to bolster their squad ahead of another campaign of European football.

Thomas would also bring some fresh legs and pace to West Ham's current backline, with Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson all the wrong side of 30, while Vladimir Coufal is currently 29.