Who is Ruben Dias the Portuguese sensation being scouted by West Ham as the new Issa Diop

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West Ham United are reportedly tracking Portuguese defensive sensation Ruben Dias.

Hammers director of football Mario Husillos heads up the club’s recruitment and alongside Manuel Pellegrini scours Europe for top talent.

He helped West Ham land brilliant young centre back Issa Diop who is looking a snip at £22.5million.

And the club could be looking to bring in the next Diop.

Dias the new Diop?

That’s if a recent report by The Mirror is anything to go by.

The Mirror claims the Hammers sent a delegate to watch 21-year-old Benfica defender Dias last month.

And he impressed as he helped the Portuguese giants reach the Europa League last eight.

Dias would likely cost West Ham similar money to Diop and a number of other Premier League scouts were also in attendance.

But it is further evidence that the Hammers are being much more savvy with their recruitment since Pellegrini and Husillos teamed up.

Get them before they’re famous

Getting players before they, or their availability becomes widely known seems the order of the day.

So who is Ruben Dias and what would he bring to West Ham? Here’s everything you need to know.

The defender stands at 6ft 1in and has already made 48 appearances for Benfica.

Perhaps more impressive is the fact he has notched six goals from centre back in that time.

Dias: Portugal’s finest

He is highly rated in his homeland and has already made nine appearances for the Portgual senior side having played at every single youth age group.

During his debut season Dias shone in Champions League games against Manchester United who were subsequently credited with an interest.

Nothing ever came of that, though, and the player has since been heavily linked with a £20million move to Lyon.

Dias was voted Primeira Liga’s best young player of the year in his debut campaign last season.

He has a contract at Benfica until 2023.