West Ham United have turned their attentions towards a Premier League rival amid the club’s search for a new central defender.

Ogbonna out long term

The need for defensive reinforcements has of course emerged as something of a pressing matter at the London Stadium over recent weeks.

This comes with David Moyes’ high-flying Hammers having been dealt an altogether untimely pair of blows on the personnel front.

First, late in November, Angelo Ogbonna was forced under the knife owing to a knee injury picked up in a 3-2 win over Liverpool, ruling the Italian out for the remainder of the campaign.

West Ham turn attentions towards Aston Villa in search for new defender

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 09: Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United holds his ankle after Anthony Martial of Manchester United collides with it during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on February 9, 2021 in Manchester, England (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Then, just weeks later, the Irons’ concerns were added to further, when Kurt Zouma was too forced onto the treatment table, on the back of a hamstring issue picked up during a derby clash with Chelsea.

Hause eyed

With both stoppers still sidelined, it has therefore come as little surprise to see speculation begin to mount in the media of late that the transfer team at the London Stadium have set their sights firmly on defensive reinforcements this month.

A whole host of stoppers have been tipped to make the move to east London, with Liverpool’s Nat Phillips previously viewed as the front-runner to link up with David Moyes’ squad.

But, as alluded to above, this weekend, a new name has entered the fray.

The defender in question? Aston Villa’s Kortney Hause.

West Ham turn attentions towards Aston Villa in search for new defender

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 11: Steven Gerrard, Manager of Aston Villa looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on December 11, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Claret and Blue star Hause has endured a disappointing campaign to date, managing just four Premier League starts across stints under both Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard.

In turn, as per a report from Footy Insider, West Ham have ‘made an approach’ to Villa over the possibility of bringing the 26-year-old in over the coming weeks.

Watford are also understood to be keen on a deal for Hause, but the opportunity to play European football in east London could well hand West Ham the advantage.

It now remains to be seen whether or not the board at Villa Park are open to negotiating with a direct Premier League rival.

 

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