West Ham United are now well-placed to sign a defender on a free transfer this summer, and he has now emerged as a key target for Graham Potter, according to a report.
West Ham's summer transfer plans
West Ham are currently short on options at striker, with Michail Antonio and Niclas Füllkrug still sidelined due to injuries, and Potter has set out to bolster his attacking options in the summer transfer window.
West Ham forward Michail Antonio
Tammy Abraham is among the main targets under consideration, with a relatively cheap deal likely to be possible due to the Englishman falling down the pecking order at AS Roma, which led to a loan move to AC Milan.
In the same report, it is detailed that the Hammers are also keen on signing a full-back and centre-back this summer, and Genoa's Koni de Winter has now emerged as a target in the latter position, having made contact to discuss a deal.
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Influential figures at the club once chose not to do a deal.
There have been fewer links to new full-backs in recent times, but a report from Football Insider has now revealed the Irons are looking at options from within the Premier League.
Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters is said to have emerged as a target for West Ham, and they are well-placed to get a deal done this summer, as the right-back is certain to leave the Saints, who are almost certainly set to be relegated.
Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters applauds their fans after the match
Walker-Peters has aspirations of getting back into England contention, which means he needs to play at the highest level possible, so dropping down to the Championship isn't an option.
The full-back is capable of playing on both flanks, making him a versatile option for Potter, and the fact he will be available on a free transfer is particularly appealing, with the Hammers boss now identifying him as a key target.
Although Southampton are destined to be relegated from the top flight, there are signs the defender could be a solid signing for West Ham, given that he has proven himself in the Premier League over a number of years.
The Englishman has made 142 appearances in the top flight, impressing enough to earn a Three Lions call-up in the 2021-22 campaign.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been a regular starter for the Hammers this season, but the signing of Walker-Peters could provide Potter with a different option, given his tendency to push forward.
Russell Martin has previously insisted the Southampton ace is capable of adding more goal contributions to his game, while also branding him a "beautiful footballer."
Given that the £20k-per-week defender is set to be available on a free transfer this summer, it is a no-brainer for West Ham to make an approach, and it is promising news they are now positioning themselves to get a deal done.