West Ham line up two free agents to fill key gap, including £6.7m ex-Liverpool star

West Ham United are said to be considering a post-transfer window deal to sign a centre-back. The Hammers spent big during the summer window, wrapping up nine new signings featuring the likes of Luis Guilherme, Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug and others.

Well over £100million was spent with two more big-profile loan signings on top of that in Jean-Clair Todibo and Carlos Soler. The vast majority of loan exits were on loan, and many fans were surprised to see Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma both leave the club on loan, joining Real Sociedad and Al-Orabah respectively.

That leaves Julen Lopetegui ideally needing another centre-back with the window now closed, but West Ham do have another week or so to snap up any free agents before the Premier League squad submission deadline. After that, players signed on free transfers cannot be registered to play until January.

Ahead of the deadline, Sky Sports report that West ham are considering a freebie centre-back with two candidates currently on the table. Former Liverpool defender Joel Matip and ex-Sheffield United star John Egan are reportedly being considered.

Matip has been linked with a move to Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen over recent weeks but a deal has not panned out yet. The centre-back made 150 league appearances for Liverpool between 2016 and 2024. He is now 33 years of age and valued at £6.7million by Transfermarkt.

As for Egan, he has been left searching fo a new club following his release from Sheffield United, who have reportedly considered offering him a new deal. Egan suffered a horrendous leg break last season and hasn’t played regular football since the start of the last campaign. He actually suffered that leg break at West Ham.

The 31-year-ild made 208 league appearances for Blades between 2018 and 2024. He is valued at £3.3million by Transfermarkt.