Bilic: West Ham 'close' to Martinez capture

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic claims that a deal to bring precocious talent Toni Martinez to the club this summer is nearing completion.

The Croatian gaffer has chosen not to play his cards close to his chest as the Hammers pursue this transfer, singling out academy manager Terry Westley's efforts in identifying the 18-year-old Valencia forward as pivotal in the chase.

"With Martinez, we are quite close," Bilic said. "Terry Westley from the under-21s has done a tremendous job if we finish it and we are close to getting one of the brightest talents from Valencia."

Martinez has impressed in his rise through the Los Che youth ranks, and is adept both on the left flank and up front. He has scored at all levels he has appeared so far, and is capped by Spain at Under-19 level. Reports of the fee range from £750,000 up front, before several clauses that could lift it in excess of £2.4 million.

West Ham's contention for a Champions League spot next season - it's just one point off Manchester City, which currently occupies fourth in the Premier League - and the successes of Dimitri Payet, Cheikhou Kouyate, and Manuel Lanzini have made the east London outfit an increasingly attractive destination for players from abroad.

Bilic is coy over further suggestions that international stars are going to take the field at the Olympic Stadium next season, though.

"All the other things that appear in the papers about big stars and new signings, it is all speculation," he insisted. "We are going to be active and we are doing some small things, talking and all that, but it is not like you read in the papers."

Bilic's side welcomes Crystal Palace on Saturday following a spate of international friendlies and World Cup qualifiers. The manager appreciates that playing at the national team level can boost confidence and serve as valuable experience, but did bemoan the lack of preparation ahead of West Ham's Premier League return.

"Some players are coming back tomorrow - Cheikhou Kouyate, Victor Moses, and Enner Valencia had a long trip, Payet is back from France, it is not ideal but we will have to get back immediately into the shape that we were before the international break."