West Ham are scouting for a new left-back with a former player under Tim Steidten one of significant interest, it has been reported by ExWHUEmployee.

Following what has been a strong start to the season for our Hammers thus far, it appears that the club are not sitting still, and want to keep pushing to improve as we look to build on the recent success of lifting the Europa Conference League trophy last season.

As has been reported by our Podcast co-host and club insider Ex previously, West Ham are very much in the market for a striker, with both VfB Stuggart’s Serhou Guirassy and Hugo Ekitiké of PSG earmarked as potential targets in January, having been scouted heavily by the club.

However Ex has now revealed that the club are looking at strengthening at left-back, with Aaron Cresswell’s future looking more likely it could be away from east London in the coming months, with the player close to departing over the summer.

Ex has now reported that a player identified as a potential target, possibly this January although summer more likely, is Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapié, who can operate at both left-back and a more central defensive role.

The Ecuadorian international is highly rated, having already amassed 58 appearances for the German side and has notched up 27 for the senior international side – despite only being 21 years of age.

Hincapié is familiar with Tim Steidten, who worked with the player when the West Ham Technical Director was in the role at Leverkusen.

“Piero Hincapié is a player we are keen on and have scouted, and the fact he knows Stediten well should help the club, should we make a concrete move, which potentially could well be in January however at this stage more likely in the summer,” stated Ex on The West Ham Way Podcast.

There is said to be interest elsewhere surrounding the player, with Spurs also reported to be keen on the talented defender.

Ex will be keeping fans up to date on the progress of the situation, and all other club matters on The West Ham Way Patreon.