While Aston Villa have been busy getting some new players to join the club during the current January transfer window, it seems as though they could have a challenge on their hands to keep one of their current squad members at Villa Park before the end of the month.

What's the latest?

According to West Ham United insider @ExWHUemployee on his Patreon page (via Birmingham Live) Villa defender Kortney Hause is apparently one of a number of potential centre-back targets for the east London club.

Hause originally joined Villa on a loan deal from fellow Premier League side Wolves in the 2019 January transfer window before the Villans secured him on a permanent basis in the following summer in a deal worth a reported fee of £3m.

Overall, the 26-year-old, who is currently valued at £4.5m by Transfermarkt, has made 54 appearances for Steven Gerrard's team across all competitions, scoring four goals in the process, showing what a danger he can be in front of goal at times.

Gerrard would be livid

Given how Villa only have three centre-backs in their squad at the moment including Hause after Axel Tuanzebe had his loan spell brought to an end earlier this month, it wouldn't be wise for Johan Lange to allow Hause to leave the Midlands club this month.

That's especially when you consider that Ezri Konsa picked up an injury in Villa's recent 2-2 draw against Manchester United.

While a move to West Ham could be tempting for Hause given how David Moyes' side are on the hunt to secure a Champions League place this season, Villa have their own aspirations of securing European football in the near future.

Therefore, it could persuade the defender to not only stay at Villa this month but also to sign a new deal with them before his current one expires at the end of the campaign.

Moving forward, with the current situation at Villa the way it is in terms of their centre-back options, it would be nothing short of a disaster if Gerrard were to see Hause make a move to West Ham this month, as it would surely leave him livid, specifically if they don't then manage to bring in any new defensive options before the January window closes.

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