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According to Spanish media outlet AS, Manchester City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko is set to be a January transfer target for La Liga outfit Real Betis, and West Ham United should look to hijack any move.

What's the word, then?

Well, AS report that Betis are likely to try and attempt to sign the Ukraine international for the second time having failed to get him in the summer, as they only have one specialist left-back in their squad.

AS report that the 21-year-old is likely to seek a move away from the Etihad in January having only featured in 180 minutes of football under Pep Guardiola this term – in the Premier League against Brighton and Hove Albion and in the EFL Cup against Oxford United.

The versatile left-sided player has also failed to even make the 18-man squad for six of City's eight top-flight fixtures during the current campaign, and he will want to be playing regularly even if he is still being picked for his country.

Why should West Ham sign him?

While Manuel Pellegrini’s squad is looking relatively strong after a big summer of spending, it does still have its weaknesses and one of those is in the left-back spot.

[brid autoplay="true" video="308991" player="12034" title="Watch Fixture in Focus West Ham v Tottenham"]

Both Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku – who was criticised by his own fans on Twitter following his display in the 1-0 defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this month – are decent enough going forward but struggle from a defensive point of view.

It is a flaw that opposition teams have clearly identified, and while Zinchenko may be young he has the quality and ability to be a real success there for West Ham in the long term.

Given his lack of game time Guardiola may not see a future for him at the Etihad, and the Irons should do everything to bring him to the London Stadium – whether it is only on loan or permanently.