New West Ham boss David Moyes will look to Premier League duo Elaquim Mangala and Dejan Lovren as he looks to reinforce his defence this January.
The Scot arrives at the club in the midst of a defensive crisis, with the Hammers having conceded more goals than any other Premier League side this year and a number of his key men at the back sidelined through injury.
Winston Reid’s fitness remains very much up in the air, and Jose Fonte is set for up to eight weeks on the sideline following surgery on his injured ankle.
In order to help turn around his side’s fortunes at the back, Moyes will now reportedly turn to the out-of-favour Manchester City and Liverpool duo after the New Year.
Mangala, who became one of history’s most expensive defenders after his £32 million switch from Porto in 2014, has struggled for game time in England, spending last season out on-loan with Valencia. Upon his return, he has failed to budge his way back into Pep Guardiola’s plans and could look for a route out of the club before the end of the season as he eyes a place in France’s squad at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Lovren, unlike Mangala, has had plenty of time on the pitch this season for the Reds, however has come under criticism for his displays at the club, and it is thought Liverpool will look to find a replacement sooner rather than later.
Excellent during his time at Southampton however, Moyes will hope a switch to the London Stadium can reinstall his lost confidence.
