West Ham to sort out new budget-friendly signing for Nuno after ‘serious’ development in London
West Ham could accelerate their plans to sign a new centre-back if Konstantinos Mavropanos is ruled out for a significant period with a neck injury.
Former West Ham chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Nuno Espirito Santo is concerned about his options in defensive positions.
Mavropanos was stretchered off with a potentially serious injury as West Ham beat QPR 2-1 after extra time to progress into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
As a result, the Hammers may be forced to enter the transfer market in search of reinforcements amid lingering concerns about Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo.
This comes after 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.
West Ham could be forced to sign a new centre-back
Brown told Football Insider on 6 January that West Ham are pushing to sign a centre-back given the constant costly errors made by their current options.
Now, should the injury blow to Mavropanos prove serious, and if he is ruled out for weeks rather than days, it could force the Hammers to enter the market.
“It’s a position they’ve been looking at for a while,” Brown told Football Insider.
“Even before this happened, I think it’s something they’re aware they needed and wanted to add to the squad, so they’ve been looking at different centre-backs.
“The options they’ve got at the moment, Kilman, Todibo, Mavropanos, none of them are good enough and they’re all far too mistake-prone.
“If Mavropanos’ injury is serious and he’s going to be out for a while, it might just have become more important that they go and get somebody else in.
“I’m not sure how much money they have to play with, because they spent a lot on these two new strikers who have come in recently.
“That might mean they’re limited in what they can do, but if they find somebody who is available and within their budget, it should be something they’re looking to do.”
Guido Rodriguez closes in on West Ham exit
While the Hammers have been keen to add to their squad in key areas this month, they are also prepared to sanction departures for a number of fringe players.
Football Insider revealed on 11 January that Guido Rodriguez is in talks with Gremio as the Brazilian club aim to beat rivals to his signature.
Rodriguez is in the final six months of his contract and West Ham are keen to offload him in this transfer window in a last-ditch attempt to raise funds.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider in November that West Ham were keen to sell Rodriguez as he is not part of Nuno’s plans.
The 31-year-old is ready to move on in the second half of the season as he is still hoping to earn a spot in Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad ahead of the World Cup.
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