West Ham should push for Manchester United outcast Chris Smalling to avoid potential problem

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West Ham United were linked with a move for Manchester United outcast Chris Smalling earlier this summer.

The Hammers have signed Pablo Zabaleta and Joe Hart from Manchester City on a free transfer and season-long loan respectively so far this summer.

Slaven Bilic is also on the verge of securing the services of Mexico and former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez and Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic for a combined £44m.

The deals address the main areas of concern in the Hammers squad but one area that is being neglected so far is central defence.

West Ham’s Angelo Ogbonna and Cheikhou Kouyate look on as Winston Reid is injured

Bilic is not short on numbers at centre half but it could be argued he is short on athleticism and pace if his squad was stretched.

Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna will undoubtedly be the first choice pairing with ageing back-ups Jose Fonte and James Collins in reserve.

Promising young defender Reece Burke looks set to join his fellow academy graduate and namesake Oxford out on loan to gain experience next season.

But with Reid and Ogbonna’s injury records and recent history, Bilic would be making a mistake not to take advantage of Smalling’s uncertain future under Jose Mourinho.

Ogbonna and Reid have only managed 50 games between them in all competitions in each of the last two seasons due to various injuries.

Italian international Ogbonna bravely played on despite a series knee injury until the Hammers could sign Fonte in January enabling him to have a season-ending operation.

Manchester United’s Chris Smalling in action

But former Fulham man Smalling has managed just under 100 games on his own in the last two seasons and would add pace, athleticism and a winning mentality to the Hammers backline as well as a threat from set pieces.

Speculation earlier this summer suggested Bilic could snap the 27-year-old up for around £15m, relative small fry for a top level defender in the current climate, as reported by the likes of The Telegraph.

And should Reid or Ogbonna suffer more injury setbacks it would leave West Ham somewhat exposed in the increasingly fast paced and competitive Premier League.