COLCHESTER United keeper, Dean Gerken, has been linked with a move to Premiership side West Ham.Hammers boss Alan Curbishley could swoop to sign Gerken in a deal believed to be worth £500,000 this summer.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United keeper, Dean Gerken, has been linked with a move to Premiership side West Ham.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley could swoop to sign Gerken in a deal believed to be worth £500,000 this summer.

Gerken became the U's No. 1 this season, as a successor to Aidan Davison, who is also his goalkeeping coach.

The 22-year-old made his full debut back in 2004, while he was an understudy to senior keepers Simon Brown and Richard McKinney.

Since then, he has developed into an outstanding keeper. One of his many admirers is England's former goalkeeping coach, Ray Clemence. Southend-born Gerken really came of age during the U's first season in the Championship last term. He made just two appearances before the beginning of December, but an injury to Davison gave him his chance, and he went on to be ever-present during the last 27 games of the campaign.

Gerken was named the U's young-player-of-the-season last term, and has played all but six of this season's fixtures.

He is on a long-term contract with the U's, but West Ham could be in line to make a tempting offer this summer, especially as the Essex club are destined to be in League One next season.

And it is believed a clause in Gerken's contract would be triggered by at £500,000 bid.

U's boss Geraint Williams said last night West Ham's interest was news to him.