Premier League strugglers West Ham have added Coventry City ace Bobby Thomas to their list of centre-back targets for the January transfer window.
West Ham Eye Coventry’s Bobby Thomas
Coventry City star Bobby Thomas has emerged as a January target for West Ham.
The Hammers are currently in 18th place in the table and are among the favourites in the Premier League relegation odds. Consequently, they are desperate for defensive reinforcements.
It comes amid the poor form of ex-Wolves centre-back Maximilian Kilman, who Nuno Espirito Santo has dropped to the bench for his side’s last two Premier League matches.
Konstantinos Mavropanos and Jean-Clair Todibo have been preferred as the central defensive pairing as of late, with the duo impressing in West Ham’s 2-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday.
But keen to add to their options, reports suggest the east Londoners are set to move for Thomas.
The 24-year-old has made 24 appearances for the Sky Blues in all competitions this term and has shone as one of the best defenders in the second tier as Coventry sit at the top of the table.
Frank Lampard’s men sit six points clear at the summit after Saturday’s 2-1 win over Leicester.
With promotion to England’s top-flight at the end of the season a real possibility, it is said that a move for Thomas won’t come easy, with Lampard suggesting as such last week.
Asked if the club had received any bids for anyone so far this month, Lampard revealed: “No. I saw/heard that yesterday [Thomas being linked with a move to West Ham].
“I think everyone knows how I feel about Bobby Thomas. He’s a player for this club and we’ve got 20 games to try and do something this year. So that’s the answer.”
Thomas has previously been linked with moves to Sheffield United and Everton, the latter of whom he spent time with in their academy before joining Crewe Alexandra as a youngster.
Tyrone Mings Among Hammers Loan Targets
It is reported that the Hammers are also exploring central defensive options in the loan market.
Named among their list of targets are Aston Villa pairing Tyrone Mings and Victor Lindelof.
The duo have spent large chunks of the campaign on the sidelines at Villa Park, with Unai Emery preferring Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres as his side’s main central defensive partnership.
As a result, one of, if not both, Mings and Lindelof could become available for a move in January.
Additionally, the Hammers are exploring a move for out-of-favour Chelsea defender Axel Disasi.
Elsewhere, West Ham are closing in on a loan move for Keiber Lamadrid from Deportiva La Guaira. Flamengo’s Gonzalo Plata is also linked amid Lucas Paqueta’s rumoured departure.
The Hammers return to action against Sunderland at home on Saturday, looking to build on two consecutive wins over QPR and Tottenham in the FA Cup and the Premier League.
Recent results have seen the previously favoured Espirito Santo drift out in the Premier League sack race odds market. He is rated as the division’s fourth favourite manager to go next.
Should the club opt to cut ties with Nuno before the end of the campaign, Slaven Bilic is favoured to return to the club as his replacement in the next West Ham manager odds market.
