West Ham want new head of player recruitment in scouting shake-up

Recruitment experts are searching for a new head of player recruitment at West Ham as the club concludes a root and branch review of their scouting network.

For the last month, industry leaders Nolan Partners have been headhunting potential candidates as the club looks to overhaul its scouting department.

Sky Sports News understands the club have been working with a professional consultant to carry out a complete audit of their scouting system, believing they have wasted too much money in the past - and have relied too heavily on the influence of agents.

A new global scouting system would cost the club between £2m and £4m, but club sources say they believe the money could be recouped quickly due to more considered and targeted transfer business.

It has been reported that manager David Moyes was unwilling to work with a Director of Football at the club - but Moyes has previously stated he would be happy to work side-by-side with a recruitment chief.

In February, West Ham sacked their previous head of recruitment Tony Henry over claims he said the club would not sign any more African players.

Later that month, co-owner David Sullivan accepted that he needs to invest more in scouting, video analysis and analytics, telling the club's website that future policy will follow strict new structures to guard against the failures of recent years.