West Ham are exploring potential deals for defenders this summer with talks advancing, as ExWHUEmployee providing an update.

Reporting the latest on The West Ham Way Patreon, Ex has advised the current state of play surrounding our defensive recruitment, whilst also adding the situation regarding certain players futures.

“One thing for certain is that free transfers will be brought in to improve the squad with a number of players set to depart,” stated our insider.

“One position we need to strengthen in, and always seems to be the case, is centre back. Disasi’s loan has expired. Todibo looks set to have played his last game for the club. There is a lot of interest in Mavropanos, and whilst the club wants to keep him, his future seems unclear; will he be able to turn down any advances? Finally, that leaves Kilman, who Nuno didn’t trust last season. Maybe he will tide him a chance, but there have been rumours of him being loaned out.

“We have some good academy players in Casey, Mayers, and Golambeckis who could be used as well, but it is felt the latter especially will also go out on loan.

“So it makes sense to sign at least one centre back on a free. There are a few that tick the box and I know are on the radar.

“The first is Adam Webster. He was at Brighton. He is 31, so not too old, and stands at 6’3. He has a lot of experience having played for the likes of Portsmouth, Ipswich, Bristol City, and Brighton in the Championship (as well as the Premier League). His role, however, has diminished recently at Brighton, and he didn’t play a single game for the club last year. He does have leadership qualities, and we certainly looked at signing him under Potter.

“Ben Wilmot was on the radar too. His club, Stoke, have just triggered an automatic extension to his contract for a year. So he wouldn’t be a free transfer now but could be someone that is at an affordable fee should we move. Again, he has the height and the Championship experience that could be very beneficial.

“A quite ambitious choice, but one who would have the potential to be a long-term success at the club even if he got promoted is Danilho Doekhi, formerly of Union Berlin in Germany. The Dutch centre back is a free agent and has had a number of clubs show interest, including Premier League side Leeds and other European teams.

“He is 27 and, again, a commanding size, which Nuno prefers at 6’3. Whether he would be prepared to come to the Championship remains to be seen, but a decent wage offer with a non-promotion clause could perhaps persuade him.

“The top target and most realistic appears to be Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry. I believe that conversations have already happened between the club and his agent, and that this deal could be advancing. His club are desperately trying to get him to commit to a new deal with them, but we hope to offer him an alternative.

“The player was born in Middlesbrough and has been at the club his whole life, aside from a brief loan spell at Rotherham. He stands at 6’4 and is in his peak years at 28. He is a former England Under-21 international, and the club hope to continue discussions with him this week! We will keep you updated on this.

“Interestingly, it has just been announced by our rivals, Spurs, that Yves Bissouma has been released in the recent hours. Although he is 29, soon to be 30, he could offer us a great addition to our midfield. We have been interested in the player for a number of windows anyway, and his availability now could also prompt a move.

“Bissouma is a defensive midfielder with a lot of experience in England, having played for Spurs and Brighton before that. We will keep you updated on this move too.”