West Ham are weighing up a swoop for Chelsea defender Gary Cahill in the upcoming January transfer window, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper report that Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini has been assessing his options before the opening of the market, and has the full support of the board to go out and bring in his targets.
The Mirror claim that Cahill is now one of the players who Pellegrini is considering, with the 6ft 4in colossus [Transfermarkt] suggesting he will seek a move away to find regular first-team minutes.
Good move for West Ham?
Absolutely.
Cahill is a highly-experienced Premier League performer who would bring stability and know-how to a West Ham defence which has faltered at times this season.
There are also huge question marks over the long-term future of Winston Reid, and the Irons will likely have to replace the New Zealand international at some point soon.
Cahill, 32, still has several years left in him due to his professionalism and high levels of fitness, and moving for him in January would be a no-brainer for the Hammers.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
Cahill has admitted that he may have to leave Chelsea to find first-team football, with the veteran not really part of Maurizio Sarri’s plans at Stamford Bridge.
West Ham would look to be a good move for him – the Hammers are an up-and-coming side with a world-class manager and a huge fanbase, and he would be able to remain in London – so a move could definitely occur.
West Ham will no doubt have competition to deal with first, and they must convert their reported interest into a concrete bid first before anything can happen.
This is Futbol rating: 4/10