West Ham have identified Christian Benteke, Michy Batshuayi and Alexandre Lacazette as priority transfer targets as they chase one of Europes top centre-forwards this summer, Sky sources understand. The Hammers are on course to finish in a European qualification spot and could even claim a Champions League place, and they believe they are in a position to attract the best talent.The club have earmarked Marseilles Batshuayi, Liverpools Benteke and Lyons Lacazette, and sources in France have told Sky Sports News HQ they are prepared to pay as much as £40m to land one of these players. Marseille forward Michy Batshuayi has been in excellent form this term Benteke has struggled to nail down a first-team place at Liverpool since Jurgen Klopps arrival and his future at Anfield remains uncertain.The Belgium international has not started a Premier League game since January 2 against West Ham and he has scored just once in his last 16 appearances.Interest Bentekes 22-year-old fellow Belgian Batshuayi, meanwhile, is high, and he would be available for upwards of £30m. Lyons Alexandre Lacazette has been a prolific goalscorer for Lyon Tottenham, Newcastle, Stoke, Juventus and Atletico Madrid have all made inquiries and, on the back 17 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions this season, he is expected to move on this summer.France international Lacazette, 24, has scored 16 goals in 35 appearances for Lyon this season. 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The Kansas star scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half, outplaying Parker down the stretch and helping the fifth-ranked Jayhawks knock off No.LONDON -- Juan Mata is edging closer to joining Manchester United from Chelsea as the Premier League champions try to strengthen their squad after a lacklustre first half of the season. In a sign that Matas Chelsea departure is nearing, a person familiar with the situation said the midfielder did not train with the first team on Wednesday. United said it is yet to make a formal bid for Mata, but another person with knowledge of the situation said the club is pursuing the Spaniard in the January transfer window. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the transfer is not being discussed publicly. According to Britains Press Association, United has lodged a 40 million-pound ($66-million) bid through a third party. United and its manager, David Moyes, would not take questions on Mata in the post-match news conference after the teams League Cup semifinal defeat to Sunderland later Wednesday. The 25-year-old Mata, Chelseas player of the year for the last two seasons, has fallen out of favour since Jose Mourinho returned as manager in June. He has not played for the team since the Jan. 1 victory against Southampton. Chelsea pulled further away from United in the Premier League title race by beating Moyes side 3-1 on Sunday. While Chelsea is third, just two points from the summit, United is seventh, 14 ppoints behind leader Arsenal.dddddddddddd. Moyes accepts there is a need to reinforce the squad, with Champions League qualification, by finishing in the top four, far from certain. "I fully understand that supporters are keen to see us freshen up the squad with new faces, but January is a difficult month in which to bring people in," Moyes said in Wednesdays program for the League Cup semifinal against Sunderland. "While we are actively scouting players all the time, a lot of the work we are doing now is preparation for the summer. "If we can do any business now then we will certainly try to do it, but I will not compromise the standards required for a player that can come into this club and help improve it." Selling Mata to United could indicate that Chelsea does not see the 20-time English champions as a major rival this season. United has lost four out of five games at the start of 2014, and was seeking to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Sunderland on Wednesday night to reach the League Cup final. "We all know that our club is undergoing changes at present, but I have a clear path in my mind and I know where we are going," Moyes said in Wednesdays program. Mata would not be eligible to play for United in the Champions League because he has played in the group stage for Chelsea. ' ' '