By Reece Brown

With the January transfer window edging closer, West Ham have reportedly reignited their interest in Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell.

The Hammers explored a move for Cresswell late on in the window, but decided in favour of a move for Brighton centre back Igor on loan, who has played one minute football in claret and blue so far this season.

Nuno may be keen to strengthen his defence in January, especially after another lacklustre defensive performance on Monday night against Brentford. Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos all featured during the game but failed to stop the West London outfit taking all 3 points.

Monday night’s loss also means West Ham have conceded the most goals in the Premier League this season (18), another reason for Nuno to make a move for a defender this winter. 

The 23 year old stands 6 foot 2, which would add some much needed height to the worst performing side at defending set pieces in the Premier League, with 8 conceded from set pieces in 8 games so far this season. Nearly half of the shots conceded by West Ham this season have come from set pieces, showing this is an area that needs rectifying if Nuno is to turn this season around.

Cresswell has experience within the English leagues prior to his move to the French top flight. A product of the Leeds academy, the defender featured 16 times in all competitions for the Whites. He spent the 22/23 season on loan at a team in South London, playing 30 times and scoring on 5 occasions.

With 2 goals already this season, with one against European champions PSG, Cresswell could help West Ham at the other end of the pitch also. The only West Ham player with more goals than the defender this season is, of course, Jarrod Bowen.

Although it is still early days, a move for Charlie Cresswell could be on the cards when the window reopens, but it may not be an easy deal to pull off. Either way, it should be a busy January for West Ham, with major reinforcements needed across the pitch.