West Ham face a fight to sign Matthew Bates after Gareth Southgate made it his priority to keep the Middlesbrough defender.
Bates got plenty of game-time for Boro this season and, at 22 years of age, will want his future to be in The Premier League after suffering relegation under Southgate.
West Ham have already approached the youngster, who is a free agent this summer, and they will not be alone as the likes of Sunderland and Everton also track the passionate defender.
Southgate believes he can convince Bates to remain loyal though and the former England man will put up a stubborn resistance to any transfer.
"One of my priorities is trying to get Matthew to re-sign for the club. In fact, if we can convince him to stay, I would see him as a key signing,” said Southgate.
"He has got the right drive, mentality and attitude, the sort of qualities that I want my players to have, plus the football he played for us during the final weeks of the season was enough to make me feel he can have a real impact for us next season.
"I've been impressed with him and I'd like him to stay here. I've had some good discussions with Matthew and with his agent and I think he would like to stay if everything felt right.
"I know he wants to be a leader wherever he plays his football and I think he can fulfil that desire with us. He certainly has excellent leadership qualities.
"Of course he'd like to play Premier League football - and rightly so - but he would also like to help us get back to the Premier League.
"I think ideally he'd like to stay, but I'm not taking anything for granted at this stage."