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Aston Villa-owned defender Mitchell Clark is being monitored by West Ham ahead of a potential swoop, according to The Sunday Mirror (21/10, page 67).

What's the word?

West Ham have struggled to find their feet under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini despite splashing in excess of £100m in the summer and have suffered six defeats in their opening nine Premier League matches.

The poor form has left the Hammers in the hunt for further additions in 2019 and it appears Pellegrini is keen to bolster his defensive options as The Sunday Mirror (21/10, page 67) name West Ham amongst the clubs eyeing a move for Aston Villa defender Mitchell Clark.

Currently, on loan with League Two side Port Vale, Clark's contract at Villa Park expires next summer and he is also said to be attracting the attention of another struggling Premier League side in the form of Newcastle.

A good addition?

The 19-year-old defender has excelled with Port Vale this season, making 12 league appearances in the third-division of English football and keeping four clean sheets in the process to help the Staffordshire side remain above the relegation spots.

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With West Ham already having the likes of Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena in their squad, both of whom were signed in the summer, it seems as though Clark would be seen as one for the future, but his arrival would also suggest that Pellegrini has definitely decided that Declan Rice won't again take up the centre-back role he often did under David Moyes last term.