West Ham United could be on the verge of ending their centre-back pursuit as they enter the race for an experienced Premier League colossus...

What's the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the Irons are keen on poaching Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea as he faces uncertainty over his future at the club having been left out by Frank Lampard in recent weeks.

The Telegraph's reliable Blues correspondent Matt Law claims the 27-year-old is now effectively their fifth-choice centre-back and has been frozen out since the arrival of free-agent Thiago Silva.

Moyes is in the market for a new central defender and he could swoop in for the £36m-rated German on loan.

Ferdinand-like colossus

Ever since the likes of James Tomkins and James Collins departed east London, the centre-back position has been a rather troubling conundrum, even more so with Winston Reid perpetually on the treatment table.

You could argue that the club lack the presence of a Rio Ferdinand-type, someone who can influence from the back in an imposing nature and there were none better than the former fan-favourite.

Rudiger can give the Hammers that and more - ESPN describe the 31-cap international as a "tall, quick and athletic defender who is capable of turning out at centre-back or full-back" who is "comfortable with the ball at his feet and has all the necessary physical attributes to become a top-level centre-back."

Perhaps the 27-year-old has been unfairly treated across the river as last season he averaged 2.9 aerials won, 2.8 clearances, 1.4 tackles per game, and even managed a passing accuracy of 86.8% from over 70 passes per match too, via WhoScored.

The 6 foot 3 monster has even been likened to Ricardo Carvalho by Garth Crooks, which isn't a bad one to make given his influence in Chelsea's title-winning sides.

Although Ferdinand himself isn't a huge fan of Rudiger having slammed him for "appalling defending" in the past, though Moyes needs a quick solution and bringing him in on loan could provide that.

AND in other news, Hammers could find their new Payet in Serie A wizard...