West Ham accelerating to sign ‘top centre-back’ after another deal agreed
West Ham are planning to step up efforts to sign a “top-class” centre back during the January transfer window amid concerns about their current options.
That is according to former West Ham and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected at his previous clubs, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Nuno Espirito Santo is desperate for defensive reinforcements.
There are particular concerns surrounding the form of Max Kilman, who has been slammed by West Ham fans, with some insisting he should never play for the club again.
Nuno’s side has yet to keep a clean sheet since his arrival as West Ham manager, while they have conceded three goals in three of their last five games.
While the addition of a new striker was their top priority, the signings of Valentin Castellanos and Pablo Felipe means they can now focus their resources elsewhere.
West Ham plan to sign a new centre-back in January
Brown told Football Insider in November that West Ham are working to identify centre-backs as they aim to upgrade the position as a priority in January.
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, insisted that those plans are now being accelerated after the window opened.
“Their current centre-back options are miles off it,” he told Football Insider.
“Even when I was there [until 2024], we played a back three and had the likes of Kurt Zouma, but he had injuries issues and there were concerns about Nayef Aguerd too.
“It was generally known and accepted that we needed centre-halves, so there was work being put in to identify and bring in replacements for them.
“All of a sudden, it wasn’t something I knew anything about, but they went and signed Mavropanos, and the year after they brought in Max Kilman.
“I don’t know how anybody can look at those two, the way they’ve played this season, and tell me they’re good enough to start every game in the Premier League.
“It’s a shambles, I don’t known who made the decisions or who decided they were good enough, but it’s become abundantly clear that they are not.
“So now it comes up again, the manager is desperate for new centre-backs, and it has to be a priority for them in January if they want to have any chance of staying up.
“And it’s not just a case of going and getting new players, they need top-class options who will improve their back line. That’s what they want to do now.”
Nuno Espirito Santo sack update emerges
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 6 January that Nuno will be sacked by West Ham if they fall to a defeat against Nottingham Forest tonight.
The board at the London Stadium are still hopeful that they won’t have to sack the Portuguese, but the pressure is likely to become “unbearable”.
They are currently placed 18th in the Premier League table, four points shy of safety, but a defeat against Forest will cut them seven points adrift.
West Ham lost 3-0 to Wolves at Molineux last time out, with the hosts having only picked up two points in the 19 games prior to their meeting.
The Hammers are now nine games without a win, and have been victorious in just two of their 15 games under Nuno, raising major concerns about his position.
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