Sam Allardyce could be about to resolve one of West Brom's biggest problems with one fell swoop this January transfer window, according to emerging reports...

What's the word?

The Express & Star claim that the 66-year-old is considering a loan move for Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury after he was made available by the fellow Midlands outfit.

It's thought that Big Sam is a massive fan of Foxes ace and is desperately pursuing the addition of a new defensive midfielder this month.

Premier League rivals Southampton and Newcastle United have also been offered the 23-year-old.

Shades of Mulumbu

This is a move that the Baggies absolutely have to make.

Allardyce does not currently have a player capable of playing the holding midfield role with Sam Field still absent through injury, though it's not as if he has bags of experience under his belt either.

Nor does Choudhury, but Brendan Rodgers has trusted him to start games in the Europa League this term - a luxury far beyond that of Albion's relegation dogfight.

In those six appearances, the British Asian powerhouse has averaged 1.3 interceptions, one tackle and an 85.1% passing success rate, via WhoScored. Whilst it's not much to go off, it's rather encouraging.

The Foxes academy graduate has previously attracted praise from Gary Lineker, who dubbed Choudhury an "extremely talented young player" following his first senior goal last year.

Whilst Steve Walsh, ex-Leicester defender Steve Walsh tipped the anchorman for England recognition in the future in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, he said:

"Yes, he can [get into the England side]. Hamza has come through the academy, and it’s great to see homegrown players. He’s a player with great tenacity, he reads the game well, and he’s an up and coming star for Leicester. He’s threatening to start every game at the moment so again it’s a good option for Brendan Rodgers."

The Baggies have long lacked that brute enforcer in the middle, perhaps ever since the 2012/13 season when Youssouf Mulumbu played a pivotal role alongside Claudio Yacob as Steve Clarke's side finished eighth in the Premier League.

The next campaign, the DR Congo international averaged a whopping 3.1 interceptions and 2.4 tackles per game, via WhoScored.

Choudhury has many similarities to the former Albion monster. He initially joined the club on loan before making the move permanent, and Big Sam will be hoping the same can happen here considering the lack of options.

The £7.2m-rated beast could be a bargain this January.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Big Sam urged to sign 29-year-old free-agent this January...