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Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has given West Ham United the thumbs up to replace Manuel Pellegrini.

Concerned Hammers co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold are reportedly in discussions over Pellegrini’s future.

West Ham were comfortably beating Arsenal 1-0 for 55 minutes at the London Stadium on Monday night.

West Ham board weighing up Pellegrini axe

But the Hammers meekly surrendered the lead to lose 3-1 against the worst Arsenal team for generations.

According to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Sullivan and Gold will make the change if West Ham slip into the relegation zone with defeat to Southampton on Saturday.

Read full story: Sky Sports reporter claims concerned West Ham owners are in discussions over Manuel Pellegrini’s future

It seems Pellegrini and the West Ham hierarchy are very much at a crossroads.

A host of managers have been linked as potential replacements from Rafa Benitez and David Moyes to Sean Dyche and Eddie Howe (The Guardian).

Football Insider recently claimed Bournemouth boss Howe was “very keen” to take over at the London Stadium.

Howe gives West Ham job the thumbs up – report

And according to a new report from Football Insider, Howe has given the green light to West Ham’s interest.

“The Hammers have been given positive feedback via third parties about the Bournemouth manager wanting to take over at the London Stadium,” Football Insider claimed on Tuesday.

“A West Ham source has told Football Insider that Howe has been top of their wanted list for weeks following boardroom discussions about possible contenders to replace Pellegrini.

“The source explained that Howe’s position is unchanged and he remains interested.”

Rafa won’t be the gaffer

It comes after Benitez all but ruled himself out of a move to West Ham, or anywhere. The Spaniard was a guest on Sky Sports’ coverage of the defeat to Arsenal.

And he told Jamie Carragher he will be seeing out his contract in China.

West Ham only have one game before Christmas, against the Saints, as the match against Liverpool was postponed until the new year.

That has resulted in a host of away games sandwiching the Arsenal match which also seems to have taken its toll on performances and results.