'I'm Told' - West Ham Insider: January transfer priority revealed

West Ham are planning to sign a new centre-back in the January transfer window after their recent struggles, according to the club’s former scout.

Mick Brown, who worked as a senior scout at the London Stadium until leaving alongside David Moyes in June, and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that the position is at the top of their list of priorities.

Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten oversaw an overhaul of the defensive unit during the summer, but have been disappointed with their performances so far.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo were brought in at the back, while Guido Rodriguez was signed to strengthen the midfield.

Meanwhile, Kurt Zouma, BenJohnson, Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd were all moved on as part of a reshuffle in the transfer market.

However, it is said that the club have been unimpressed with their additions and the team’s defensive struggles, and will turn to the market to assess their options.

Brown revealed that scouts have already begun searching for potential targets as the owners are prepared to free up more funds to support Lopetegui.

West Ham priority signings revealed after Tim Steidten twist

Steidten has come under pressure in recent weeks as a result of some of the new signings’ difficulties adapting to the Premier League.

Now, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level recruitment after spending over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the Hammers’ summer rebuild has left them with “major problems”.

“I’m told they want to sign a new centre-back,” he told Football Insider.

“They’ve had major problems there after letting so many players go in the summer with this rebuild they’d planned after Moyes left.

“All these centre-backs have left the club, and the ones they signed to replace them haven’t been up to scratch so far, so they’ve been frustrated.

“Whether that’s down to the players, the manager or the recruitment, it remains to be seen.

“But they’ve had scouts out looking for new options there and they want to do business in January.

“And I’d expect the owners to make the money available to make those changes.

“They’ve never been shy to bring in new additions if they think it will help them finish in a higher position at the end of the season.“

In other news, a new update has emerged on Liverpool’s interest in Mohammed Kudus.

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The post 'I'm Told' - West Ham Insider: January transfer priority revealed appeared first on Football Insider.