NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is in talks to become one of West Ham United's owners and become the latest American sports star to invest in English soccer.

The massive 52-year-old pivot became interested in becoming a shareholder of the Premier League side after watching one of the Stratford (London) club's matches last season.

"He went to a game at the end of the season and loved it. Now it's a matter of seeing if his finances suit him," explained a source consulted by 'The Sun' newspaper, which confirmed that the NBA star is considering investing "a lot of cash" in West Ham.

Spaniard Julen Lopetegui will be the manager of the Hammers next season.

American sports stars who preceded Shaq in investing in English soccer were Tom Brady, JJ Watt or LeBron James.

Recently, Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney became owners of Wrexham. They do not play in the Premier League, but are in the English football pyramid despite being Welsh.