David Moyes says Billy Gilmour is the one Scottish player he would sign for West Ham over any other.
Gilmour has made seven first-team appearances in a highly impressive breakthrough campaign, earning widespread praise, including from the likes of Frank Lampard and Roy Keane.
Hammers manager Moyes insists he has seen all the rumours linking midfielder Declan Rice with a move to Chelsea and jokingly announcied his desire to bring Gilmour to West Ham in response.
Speaking to BBC Scotland's Scottish football podcast, Moyes said: "The one [Scottish player] who if I could sign tomorrow I would is Billy Gilmour after his opening performances for Chelsea.
"He's looked like a seasoned pro, he's looked like somebody who's hungry, who's in love with the game."
He added: "I was laughing because I keep getting told that Chelsea want Declan Rice, so I thought well I might just decide I want Billy Gilmour and see how it goes."
Gilmour has broken into the Scottish U21 side subsequent to his high-quality performances and Moyes believes the 18-year-old may be the player to offer his nation some hope.
"He's typical of what my memories are of what Scottish players were like going back many, many years," Moyes said. "We were always good players, really talented football players, and at the moment Billy Gilmour in the short period I've seen him has looked like that all day long.
"We need to start getting a Scottish national team that gives us some hope but he's certainly a really talented looking player."
