'West Ham plan to sign top-class defender after Nayef Aguerd decision'
West Ham have turned their attentions towards signing a new "top-class" centre-back this summer, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Sunderland and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that Graham Potter is pushing the club to act quickly in the transfer market.
Potter is not happy with his current options and will be open to letting both Konstantinos Mavropanos and Nayef Aguerd leave if offers arrive.
This comes after Football Insider revealed in April that Potter is looking at replacements for Mavropanos with Udinese star Oumar Solet on his radar.
The current centre-back options at the London Stadium are seen as too mistake-prone and unsuited to the new style of play the boss is trying to implement.
Football Insider previously revealed that Potter wants to be backed heavily in the summer transfer window as he targets a potential overhaul of his squad.
Graham Potter makes Aguerd/Mavropanos decision at West Ham
Brown told Football Insider in April that West Ham are chasing a new centre-back after the position was named as a top priority at the London Stadium.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted Potter is leading the push as he is prepared to cash in on their current options.
"West Ham are aiming to sign a top-class centre-half," he told Football Insider.
"Potter wants reliable options in that position because he isn't happy with what he's got.
"It's something West Ham have been lacking for a while, and it's going to be a priority before the season starts because the manager is pushing for it.
"Max Kilman is okay, but he needs somebody solid and dependable alongside him.
"Potter isn't happy with Mavropanos, he's far too mistake prone and is liable to cost you a game, and he's looking to move on Nayef Aguerd as well.
"He's a good footballer, but far too often he would be exposed against more physically dominant teams.
"So it's a position they're really going to push for and they need to act quickly."
El Hadji Malik Diouf closes in on London Stadium move
A new centre-back is not the only aspect of Potter's defensive unit that the Hammers are aiming to improve, as they are working on signing a new left-back.
Brown told Football Insider on 8 July that West Ham are in talks with Slavia Prague over a deal to sign Senegal international El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The Hammers have a well-established working relationship with Slavia Prague thanks to Daniel Kretinsky’s investment and plan to utilise their connections again.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 6 February that West Ham want to sign a left-back as a priority amid concerns about Emerson Palmieri’s performances.
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