By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

16th Oct, 2023 | 1:30pm

Sources: West Ham set sights on signing defender in January

West Ham boss David Moyes remains keen to sign a new centre-back as the January window approaches, sources have told Football Insider.

The Irons tried to bring an additional defender to the London Stadium in the summer and were heavily linked with a move for Man United star Harry Maguire.

A move for Maguire failed to materialise with the England international instead choosing to remain at Old Trafford and fight for a regular first-team role.

The London club are laying the foundations for January, with their transfer business once again led by Moyes and the recruitment team, overseen by longstanding chairman David Sullivan.

West Ham moved to sign Stuttgart defender Konstantinos Mavropanos in the summer window, but the Greece international has played just one minute of Premier League football so far this term.

The 25-year-old has started games in the Europa League and League Cup.

Moyes’ interest in a new centre-back comes amid doubt over the long-term futures of current first-choice duo Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd.

Football Insider revealed on Friday (13 October) that Saudi Pro League sides have stepped up their interest in Zouma – who is out of contract at the London Stadium in 2025.

Sources have also told Football Insider (14 October) that the Irons could protect his value by handing him a new deal to reflect his new status as captain.

Aguerd was wanted by Saudi outfit Al-Ittihad last month but West Ham were unwilling to let him depart in an out-of-window deal.

Moyes’ side also have Angelo Ogbonna and Thilo Kehrer on the books at the London Stadium.

Long-serving defender Ogbonna is out of contract at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

In other news, door opens for West Ham to sign midfielder as January price revealed.