West Ham United transfers: Hammers want Maynor Figueroa

Sam Allardyce's side finished 10th in the Premier League Photo: Back Page Images

West Ham United are set to move to snap up Maynor Figueroa on a free transfer after Wigan Athletic confirmed the defender is among eight players to leave the club following their relegation.

The 30-year-old’s contract expired at the end of the season and the FA Cup winners confirmed his departure on Tuesday.

Sam Allardyce is a keen admirer of the Honduras international and news that he has been released will heighten speculation linking him with a transfer to Upton Park.

Speaking back in February, Allardyce said: “What we would be looking at is any player that might be available in the summer.

“When you look at what he’s done at Wigan – and like everyone else he’s refused to sign a contract – there will be a lot of clubs interested in him.

“We would be one of those clubs if that’s the case.”

Figueroa joins Franco Di Santo, Albert Crusat, Antolin Alcaraz and Ronnie Stam in leaving Wigan, while loan players Paul Scharner, Joel Robles and Angelo Henriquez have all returned to their respective parent clubs.