West Ham accelerate move to sign 'left-back' in last hours of window

West Ham United are pushing to sign Hull City defender Ryan Giles in the closing stages of the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old has emerged as the Hammers' top target to replace El Hadji Malick Diouf following his big-money move to Brentford which was confirmed last week.

Nuno Espirito Santo is determined to land a new left-back before tonight's 11pm deadline, and has identified the Hull City star as a good fit for his system.

However, former West Ham scout Mick Brown, who represented Hull as a player, told Football Insider that the Hammers will find it difficult to prise Giles away at this late stage.

This comes after they saw a loan-to-buy offer rejected by the Tigers earlier this week, after his impressive start to their Premeir League campaign.

Sergej Jakirovic has been clear that he does not want to lose Giles before the transfer deadline, as he remains an important part of his plans, in a blow to West Ham's pursuit.

Could West Ham make a new offer for Ryan Giles?

Football Insider exclusively revealed on 28 August that a number of Championship clubs have been lining up loan-to-buy offers for Giles ahead of the deadline.

West Ham have since been revealed to be among those clubs, and have seen an offer rejected by Hull, leaving them scrambling for other additions.

They could yet return with a new offer for Giles, however, with the left-back still ranking high on their list of targets ahead of the deadline later on tonight.

"West Ham need to sign a new left-back before the transfer deadline," Brown told Football Insider.

"They've let Diouf go for £40million, which is a very good fee for a Championship club, but now they need to go out and sign a replacement for him.

"Giles is somebody who has emerged as a top target for West Ham, and they're still hopeful they can get a deal done, even though Hull don't want to sell.

"I would say don't rule it out, because even though the manager has come out and said he doesn't want to sell him, he was hardly going to admit that he's up for sale.

"Hull don't want to lose him, so it won't be easy, that's not a surprise to anybody because he's a big part of their plans, but West Ham are very keen to bring him in.

"Obviously, Hull are in control over this one, but West Ham could make another offer to test their resolve and see how far they are willing to stick to their plans.

"Either way, West Ham will need to sign a player in his position, so if not Giles it will have to be somebody else."

Which other clubs are interested in signing Giles?

West Ham are far from the only club interested in signing Giles before the transfer window closes, however, with a number of Championship clubs keen on the left-back.

His impressive displays in Hull City's promotion campaign last time out placed a number of suitors on alert, while he has also shone in the Premier League so far.

Alongside high-profile interest from both Burnley and West Ham, Football Insider revealed earlier this summer that Norwich City have also shown an interest in signing Giles.

Giles starred in Hull's opening game of the Premier League season as they beat Man United 2-0, picking up the Player of the Match award, and he remains a big part of their plans.

Hull now have no intention of letting him leave before the deadline, but West Ham and their divisional rivals could still make late moves to test their resolve.