West Ham United want a centre-back and will reportedly turn to Premier League rivals Swansea City and Brighton for Alfie Mawson and Lewis Dunk.
West Ham United have spent the last few months searching high and low for a central midfielder but it seems they want to strengthen the centre of defence, too.
Despite David Moyes’ reputation as a pragmatic tactician, only second-from-bottom Stoke City have conceded more than West Ham’s 63 Premier League goals this season, although the Scot’s predecessor Slaven Bilic must take a large portion of the blame.
It is understood that Moyes, despite still not extending a contract that expires at the end of the season, is putting together plans to bring in a tough, powerful centre-back and there are two names in particular in his mind: Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Lewis Dunk.
But with Mawson valued at around £40 million, it seems that West Ham fans would pick his Seagulls counterpart given the opportunity.
Dunk has scored four own-goals this season, a Premier League record he shares with Martin Skrtel. But that rather unfortunate statistic is a result of his willingness to throw himself in the way of everything which, at times, can lead to unlucky deflections.
Dunk, for the most part, has enjoyed a fine first season in the top flight and was even tipped for an England call-up earlier in the year. The Star claims that he would be cheaper than Mawson, and more popular, too.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
