West Ham have compiled a three-man centre-back shortlist after Manuel Pellegrini expressed his worries at club’s pre-season defensive performances..
The boss has made it clear that he wants an additional proven centre-back to compliment Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena, as Winston Reid annot be relied on yet after only just recovering from long-term injury.
Alaves’ Guillermo Maripan and New York Red Bulls’ Aaron Long are two targets who figure most prominently in the thoughts of Pellegrini and director of football Mario Husillos…
Hammers have already bid for Maripan earliaer this summer for £10m but it was rejected..
A deal for Maripan remains on the cards but, if that does not succeed, Hammers could turn their attention to 33-years-old Gary Cahill, who is available as a free agent after being released from Stamford Bridge.
It is thought that signing Long could be the most difficult with the American unlikely to be handed a work permit…