West Ham are eyeing up a new target at right-back before the transfer window closes on Friday night.

The Independent reported on Tuesday that the Hammers are interested in RB Salzburg defender Rasmus Kristensen.

What’s the word?

The Irons have made right full-back one of their priorities during the ongoing window but they’ve so far found it a struggle to recruit.

A structured £10m deal with add-ons for Matty Cash was rejected by Nottingham Forest but Spurs youngster Kyle Walker-Peters remains an option for the club, per the report.

However, The Independent understands that with Southampton the frontrunners, attention has turned to Austria and Kristensen.

The Dane only signed for Salzburg last summer from Ajax but he could be on the move again already.

A better option than Zabaleta

With Ryan Fredericks out injured, there has been a real lack of quality on the right-hand side of defence, but the acquisition of Kristensen could see the Hammers conclude January in style.

There is no doubting they need new recruits judging by their position of 17^th place, but the addition of a player who has proven himself in the Champions League this term, specifically against Liverpool, bodes well for David Moyes.

In Europe’s premier competition this term, he’s won a colossal 3.3 tackles per game, winning four in one match against the Reds and also six against Napoli. Those numbers are far more impressive than West Ham’s current option with Zabaleta coming away victorious from just 1.9 per match in domestic action.

Coincidentally, it’s also more tackles per game than previous target Cash who manages three per outing.

The pool of matches may be considerably lower but Kristensen has proved he’s astute in the tackle. A player blessed with pace, he’s been described in a fantastic light by people he’s previously worked with.

FC Midtjylland’s ex-captain-turned-coach, Kristian Bach-Bak previously stated: “Rasmus is really an all-round player… He’s very aggressive but he knows when to use it. He brings a sort of composure that not many youth players do nowadays.”

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That paints a picture of the type of performer he is, as does analysis from website breakingthelines which notes his pace and physicality, something that could prove especially useful in a robust division such as the Premier League.

Compare that to Zabaleta, an ageing and tired defender whose pace has now deserted him and the differences are enormous.

At just 22, there is a bright future ahead for Kristensen. West Ham could be set for a number of years at right-back if they land the youngster this month. This is exactly the type of player they have to pursue.

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