West Ham United manager David Moyes is preparing to delve into the January transfer market to recruit a central defender, following the injuries sustained to Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma.
Ogbonna has been ruled out for the rest of the season after he underwent surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury in November, while Zouma is facing between two and three months on the sidelines after pulling his hamstring in the win against Chelsea earlier this month.
The Hammers are now left with Issa Diop and Craig Dawson as their only two centre-backs in the senior squad, and with Moyes's men still competing in three different competitions, reinforcements will be required to cope with their busy schedule.
Ahead of the January transfer window, Sports Mole takes a look at five potential centre-backs West Ham could look to target.
James Tarkowski (Burnley)
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One of West Ham's primary defensive targets is believed to be Burnley's James Tarkowski, who they have been heavily linked with over the last few transfer windows.
A number of bids rising to £30m were made by the Hammers over the summer and they were all rebuffed by Sean Dyche's side, who remain desperate to keep hold of the 29-year-old.
Even though Tarkowski is at risk of leaving Turf Moor for free next summer when his contract expires, Burnley are prepared to reject all transfer offers in January as they try to persuade him to extend his current deal.
West Ham are considering a take-it-or-leave-it offer worth around £7m to sign Tarkowski in January, a significant reduction from their previous bids over the summer, but one they hope will tempt the Clarets to cash in on the England international.
Tarkowski is believed to be keen on a move to the London Stadium, swapping a potential relegation scrap in Lancashire with European football in East London.
Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina)
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Another potential target for the Hammers could be Fiorentina's highly-rated centre-back Nikola Milenkovic, who has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League.
Despite one previous report suggesting that Milenkovic was close to agreeing a new deal in Florence, the Serbia international is yet to extend his deal which expires in June 2023.
The 24-year-old is understood to have held talks with Moyes's side over the summer, though negotiations over a permanent switch to the London Stadium failed to materialise, with the Hammers eventually swooping for Chelsea's Kurt Zouma instead.
West Ham could now be tempted to make another enquiry for Milenkovic in January, who is valued at around £15m.
The Hammers, however, may face competition from Serie A giants AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, while Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also been closely monitoring the defender.
Nathan Ake (Manchester City)
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Manchester City's versatile defender Nathan Ake has recently emerged as a leading target for West Ham, and could be someone who temporarily fills in for fellow left-footer Ogbonna.
As a powerful and competent ball-playing defender who poses a constant aerial threat in both boxes, the 26-year-old shares similar characteristics with the Italian, which would likely appeal to both Moyes and the Hammers hierarchy.
While Ake has been linked with a reunion with former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe at Newcastle United, one report has claimed that West Ham are eying a short-term loan move for the Dutchman in January.
Ake is considered as City's fourth-choice centre-back at the Etihad Stadium, after struggling to cement a regular place in Pep Guardiola's starting lineup.
With one eye on the 2022 World Cup, the Netherlands international will be keen to gain regular first-team football, so a transfer to the London Stadium in January could be on his mind.
Nat Phillips (Liverpool)
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After falling back down the pecking order at Liverpool, Nat Phillips is expected to depart Anfield in one of the upcoming transfer windows, with West Ham a potential destination.
The 24-year-old, who has featured for just 135 minutes this season, is seeking regular first-team football and Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has suggested he will be allowed to leave in January.
Several clubs along with the Hammers are interested in recruiting Phillips on loan; however, one report claims that Liverpool intend to sell the defender on a permanent basis for £10m.
David Moyes had initially identified Phillips as one of his main centre-back targets for the winter window, but after the defender recently sustained a cheekbone fracture – which could see him sidelined for 'several weeks' – it remains to be seen whether the Hammers will follow up their interest with an official offer.
Niklas Stark (Hertha Berlin)
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Another potential target for the Hammers is Hertha Berlin defender Niklas Stark, who Moyes has been closely monitoring according to a previous report.
The 6ft 3in Germany international will see his current contract expire next summer so he could be available for a cut-price fee in the winter window, which may tempt West Ham to make a move.
Stark is a key defender for the Bundesliga outfit; however, talks to extend his contract have stalled so a potential move in either January or next summer is likely.
The 26-year-old has spent his entire career in his homeland, starting out with FC Nurnberg before making 184 appearances across all competitions for Hertha Berlin, including 13 league starts this campaign.
