Sources: West Ham set sights on signing Englishman in January proven in PL

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Published on:

25 Nov 2019, 11:20 am

West Ham have set their sights on signing an English goalkeeper in January, Football Insider understands.

The Hammers are looking to recruit a new deputy to Lukasz Fabianski after the wretched form of summer signing Roberto Jimenez.

A West Ham source has told Football Insider that the club have a firm player profile in mind as they want someone not only proven in the Premier League but also English.

The Hammers are looking to beef up their homegrown quota and stay in line with Premier League regulations.

Each English top-flight club is required to have no more than 17 non-homegrown players in their squad, and this will be central to the club's January plans.

Director of football Mario Husillos will lead the search for a new goalkeeper after agreeing there is the need for someone else proven at Premier League level.

The loss of Fabianksi due to a hip injury since the end of September has coincided with a dreadful run of results that has led to growing calls from supporters for Manuel Pellegrini to be sacked.

Roberto has shipped 14 goals from just six Premier League starts and has been widely pilloried by fans, pundits and observers.

He is facing a battle to keep his spot for Saturday's short trip to Chelsea, with number three David Martin being considered as a genuine contender by Manuel Pellegrini.

Martin has yet to play for the Hammers since signing on a free in the summer but he has been given a more significant role in first-team training in the last two weeks.

In other West Ham news, Football Insider can REVEAL an update on Grady Diangana recall after shattering injury.

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