West Ham could be looking to strengthen our full back depth this January, it has been reported by ExWHUEmployee.

As the next transfer window fast approaches, the club are mindful of the upcoming AFCON which will see Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka depart to represent their respective nations.

In light of this, West Ham are considering strengthing further in that department, with Ex providing an update on The West Ham Way Patreon.

“West Ham reportedly sent scouts to Portugal’s Estádio do Dragão last Thursday to watch Porto’s win over Nice,” stated Ex.

“It is believed we looked at: Alberto Costa and Francisco Moura who played in the full back positions, this may suggest the club are concerned about the injury to Ollie Scarles and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diouf going to the African Nations.

“As well as some interest in Victor Froholdt who is a 19 year old Danish midfielder.

“Another game we attended recently was the FC Midtjylland v FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark where we watched Franculino Djú the Bissau-Guinean forward who has been on our radar for a while now and centre back Ousmane Diao and Caleb Yirenkyi a 20 year old Ghanaian midfielder for FC Nordsjaelland.”

Ex also reports that the club are open to exploring the loan market, as we look to build the squad in the battle to avoid relegation this season.

“We are also expected to explore the domestic loan market,” added Ex. “At the moment we only have space for one player as we already have one domestic loan in Igor Julio from Brighton, who is incidentally unable to also play this weekend against his parent club having been dropped for the Manchester United fixture.

“It is felt Julio might provide a left back option when Diouf is at the AFCON. However the club could be tempted due to his lack of impact this season to let him return to Brighton in January although this hasn’t been confirmed yet.

“In the centre back option a domestic loan that we may consider is Axel Disasi of Chelsea who has slipped down their pecking order but is always someone that we have admired. Other fringe players at some of the bigger clubs that are not playing, particularly those with World Cup ambitions may be tempted to secure a loan to increase their chances of being selected if playing well.

“Another centre back we have also looked into is Tiago Gabriel, the 20 year old has been a sensation for Lecce in Italy and is 6’4 Portuguese under 21 international with strong agent links to West Ham.”