West Ham working on deal to sign defender in January - Insider
West Ham are eyeing a move to sign a new left-back in the January transfer window, according to the club's former senior scout.
Mick Brown, who left the London Stadium alongside David Moyes in June and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that questions have been asked at the club about Emerson and his declining performances.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 17 November that the Hammers are monitoring Genk full-back Archie Brown, who has been heavily linked with a return to England.
The former scout revealed that he heard the left-back's name mentioned during his time at the London Stadium, and the interest is genuine.
However, they are still assessing a number of potential candidates for the position which they view as a priority ahead of the winter window.
Since the arrival of Julen Lopetegui, West Ham have kept just three clean sheets in 13 games across all competitions and have conceded 19 goals in 11 league games.
The boss saw an overhaul of his defensive unit during the summer transfer window, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo brought in to replace Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd.
West Ham eye move to sign new left-back amid Archie Brown links
Despite the significant investment, there is now a growing feeling that further improvements are needed, with a new left-back next on their list of targets.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and spent over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the club have already begun assessing potential options for the January window.
"They're looking to sign a new left-back," he told Football Insider.
"Emerson's performances have been on the decline, and there have always been questions about him and his defensive abilities.
"He's not a stable presence in that defence any more, and that's where they've struggled this season.
"They need to improve defensively, that's for sure, and they tried to do that in the summer.
"So it's definitely an area of the team that they've been looking at.
"I don't know too much about Archie Brown, but I heard his name mentioned while I was there. That interest is certainly there.
"They're considering a number of options though because they must make sure they get it right."
In other news, West Ham make Tariq Lamptey transfer decision.
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