West Ham 'target' former Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores to replace David Moyes in the summer

West Ham United already have a possible replacement for David Moyes lined up - before the Scot has even taken charge of his first match.

Former Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores is said to have emerged as the main candidate to replace Moyes, should his contract not be renewed at the end of the season.

Spanish publication Sport claims that the current Espanyol boss could be tempted to return to the Premier League in the summer if the tenure of Moyes, who has only agreed a deal until the end of the season, with the Hammers proves unsuccessful.

Moyes was only appointed as West Ham manager last week after the sacking of Slaven Bilic following the 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool.

West Ham joint chairman David Sullivan said the former Manchester United and Everton manager is "the right man to turn things around" following a disappointing start to the season under Bilic, with the Hammers in the bottom three after 11 games.

However, many fans have questioned the decision following his disastrous spells at United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland.

Moyes had been without a job since he resigned as Sunderland manager in May following the Black Cats' relegation to the Championship.

Sport suggests that the 54-year-old has only been appointed as a short-term solution until Sanchez Flores becomes available.

This would explain why Moyes has only been handed a six-month contract with an option to extend it only if he reaches certain targets.

The Spanish publication points out that avoiding the relegation is not among those targets as West Ham owners are convinced they will survive after making a big investment in the summer, signing the likes of Marko Arnautovic from Stoke City and striker Javier Hernandez from Bayer Leverkusen.

Moyes accepted the challenge in order to resurrect his carer but knows he will only remain at the London Stadium next season if the campaign is a big success.

Sport reports that former Watford manager Sanchez Flores has emerged as "the best candidate" in the eyes of the West Ham owners if they decide to part ways with Moyes.

The Spanish publications says that West Ham sounded out Sanchez Flores' availability to replace Bilic but that the Spaniard was not ready to leave Espanyol in the middle of the season.

Sanchez Flores could make himself available in the summer however and is keen on returning to the Premier League at some point after his tenure at Watford lasted just one season.

He left Vicarage Road after 12 months in charge despite leading the Hornets to the FA Cup semi-finals and keeping them in the Premier League.

Luring him away from Espanyol in the summer won't be easy either with the Spaniard having a contract at the Barcelona-based side until 2019.

The report adds that if West Ham do want Sanchez Flores, they would need to meet his release clause or reach an agreement with the Catalan side.