West Ham consider January move for Liverpool defender Nat Phillips as David Moyes targets cover for Kurt Zouma

Jack Rosser @JackRosser_8 December 2021

West Ham are ready to back David Moyes to sign defensive cover for Kurt Zouma in January after he was ruled out for up to 12 weeks with a serious hamstring injury.

The injury to Zouma means Moyes is without both of his first-choice centre-backs for a sustained period having also lost Angelo Ogbonna to a knee injury last month.

And West Ham have been forced into the transfer market to solve their injury crisis.

Moyes wants to bring in a player with Premier League experience who can hit the ground running as West Ham bid to sustain their top-four push and continue to progress in the Europa League.

The Scot wants a deal lined up for early in the January window and West Ham are considering the options available.

Burnley defender James Tarkowski, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has long been a target for Moyes, while Liverpool’s Nathaniel Phillips is also being considered.

Phillips started for Liverpool in their 2-1 Champions League win against AC Milan on Tuesday night, but that was only this third appearance of the season.

Manchester City’s Nathan Ake has been considered but it will be hard to secure a deal for a player who cost City £40million in 2020 and has started their last two matches.

West Ham may face competition from Newcastle for Tarkowski, who Burnley still value at up to £20m despite the 29-year-old having just over six months left on his deal.

Tarkowski would be interested in a move to West Ham and the chance to work with Moyes, but he is relaxed about running down his contract at Burnley with West Ham yet to make a formal approach.

West Ham target Nathaniel Phillips impressed for Liverpool against AC Milan at the San Siro
Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Until West Ham can bring in reinforcements in January, Craig Dawson and Issa Diop are the only two senior centre-backs available to Moyes. An option for the manager would be switching to a back three.

While West Ham are reluctant to put a timescale on Zouma’s return, the 27-year-old is hopeful of making a speedy recovery inside two months, and in time for West Ham’s Europa League last-16 tie, with the first leg on March 10.

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