West Ham could seal January deal for Manchester City defender amid injury crisis

West Ham have suffered an injury crisis as of late with Kurt Zouma most recently sidelined with a hamstring problem following their 3-2 win over Chelsea at the weekend.

According to reports, the Frenchman could be out for up to 12 weeks, while Angelo Ogbonna is already set to miss the rest of the season after picking up a knee injury last month.

The Irons are now left with only two fit centre-backs - Craig Dawson and Issa Diop - and David Moyes has set his sights on more defensive options in the January window, with Manchester City’s Nathan Ake a target.

West Ham have been linked with a number of defenders recently, but 90min are now claiming the Dutchman will be there first choice when the window opens.

Ake joined Man City for £41 million from AFC Bournemouth last summer but has struggled for minutes since joining the club, featuring in only five Premier League matches this season.

The 26-year-old is behind Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones in the pecking order and so may look elsewhere for the first team action that he desires.

90min have reported that West Ham are likely to pursue a loan deal for Ake in January with an obligation to buy next summer, however will need to incentivise the deal and indicate a willingness to discuss a future move for Declan Rice to the Etihad Stadium if they are to snap up the centre-back.

If the Hammers don’t land Ake in January then they have been also monitoring some of the Championship’s best defenders, with the likes of Rob Dickie and Dael Fry both on David Moyes’ radar.

West Ham have previously signed Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma from England’s second tier - both of whom have proven to be highly successful signings.