Sources: Front-runner named as West Ham set sights on Gabriel deal
West Ham are in the running with Juventus to sign Lecce star Tiago Gabriel to strengthen their rearguard.
With only Wolves conceding more goals than the Hammers after 14 games, Nuno Espirito Santo‘s top priority in January will be to sign defensive reinforcements.
Sources told Football Insider that Crystal Palace are keeping tabs on Max Kilman amid a growing possibility he could leave West Ham in January.
The Irons are exploring centre-back options going into the winter window and Gabriel, 20, is one of the players on their radar.
Juventus favourites to win Tiago Gabriel but West Ham won’t go down without a fight
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Hammers are closely monitoring the Portuguese defender.
This comes after former Man United senior scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider that West Ham are working on upgrading Kilman to solidify the centre-back position.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast over the Irons’ interest in the Lecce anchor, I explained: “Tiago Gabriel is somebody that’s emerged on the radar.
“Only 20-years-old so it could be bit of a gamble by West Ham if they were to bring him in and bring him straight into the team.
“Ideally, I think West Ham would want somebody who can come in straight into the team and hit the ground running in the Premier League because that’s what they’re going to need in the second half of season if they are to get themselves out of trouble.
“Tiago Gabriel, I’m sure he’s somebody that West Ham have looked at. Brentford have also been mentioned as well, but it does seem reports in Italy are suggesting that Juventus are the current front-runner for the player.
“The Bianconeri would be hopeful that they could win the race for his signature if it does come down to it in the January window as well.
“Lecce, I’m sure if they’ve received a decent offer for the centre-back that they wouldn’t stand in his way and they would let him move on as well.
“So let’s wait and see what happens with him. But, there’s no doubt that West Ham will be in the market for defensive reinforcements in January.”
Niclas Fullkrug considers return to Bundesliga
Whilst the Hammers have issues to solve in defence, they also must turn their attention to fixing their goalscoring struggles at the other end of the pitch.
Sources told Football Insider that Bundesliga clubs are monitoring the situation of Niclas Fullkrug ahead of the January transfer window.
The German has endured a dreadful spell in east London, scoring just three times across his two seasons at the club.
Having had great success in his home country with the likes of Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund, a return to the league could be on the cards.