David Moyes will be a busy man in the next five days as he looks to secure the reinforcements he needs before West Ham fight tooth and nail against relegation in the coming months.
The Hammers have just secured their first signing of the window, with Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario completing a loan move to the London Stadium, as reported by the BBC.
Moyes will be looking to add to his first acquisition as West Ham boss in the next five days, and the Hammers have been linked to several other stars.
As reported by Sky Sports, the club are expected to make another midfield signing soon, and are in talks with Anderlecht over a move for 22-year-old Belgium international Leander Dendoncker.
Sky have also been informed by two sources that the club have submitted a £15million bid for Fulham captain Tom Cairney, who is also wanted by West Bromwich Albion.
However, the most interesting player that the Hammers have been linked with is one of a significantly lower profile than these other names, but one that would be the perfect signing for the club going forward.
As reported by the Daily Mail, West Ham sent scouts on a mission to watch Dundee centre-back Jack Hendry against Hibernian on Wednesday, with Bournemouth mulling over a bid.
The classy 22-year-old enforcer has been the Dark Blues’ best player this season in a campaign that has seen them plunged into a relegation battle in the top-flight.
Unfortunately for Dundee, that has meant an increasing amount of interest in their young star this month, and it looks inevitable that Hendry will leave by the summer at the latest.
The enforcer is remarkably composed on the ball for a 22 year old, and that is an asset for any team, especially one fighting relegation.
Hendry is equally comfortable with getting stuck in at the back, showing great composure in the tackle and rarely jumping in recklessly, with just two yellow card in 22 appearances this season.
He is also strong in the air, using his 6ft 2in frame to regularly get above opponents.
When compared to the club’s current options at the back, the move makes even more sense.
Winston Reid has looked a shadow of his former self this season, Jose Fonte has been out injured since November, James Collins looks to be on his way out this summer, with Angelo Ogbonna the only one showing any consistency.
West Ham’s most impressive player at the back has been youngster Declan Rice, and he is what makes this Hendry move so exciting.
A Hendry and Rice centre-back partnership in the near future could be brilliant for West Ham, who would have two of Britain’s most promising enforcers at the heart of their defence.
And as reported by the Scottish Sun, Dundee are holding out for £1.5million for the 22-year-old, and that would be an absolute snip for a Premier League side like West Ham.
The Hammers must hijack the chase for Hendry and swoop in the coming days.