West Ham United are bordering on desperation as they enter the final five days of the transfer window and latest reports could spell trouble for GSB...

What's the word?

According to Sky Italia (via the Daily Mail), the Irons have submitted an offer to Napoli for their centre-back Nikola Maksimovic with the 28-year-old reportedly top of David Moyes' shortlist.

It's claimed that the Serie A outfit are looking for between £14m and £19m for the Sebian international whose contract is set to expire in less than 12 months time.

Premier League newcomers Fulham are said to be keen whilst Everton were mooted with interest earlier in the transfer window.

Costly error?

The Hammers haven't had much luck with centre-backs over the past few years, since the departures of James Collins and James Tomkins, no one has truly stepped up.

Winston Reid is always injured, Angelo Ogbonna is inconsistent and Issa Diop isn't trusted by some supporters.

But would Maksimovic be a solid addition? Well, the 6 foot 4 colossus is currently third choice in Naples and only started 21 matches last term where he averaged just 1.8 aerial duels won and 1.5 tackles per game, via WhoScored.

Given his nationality, imposing frame and aggressiveness (1.1 fouls per match), the 28-year-old has been likened to former United monster Nemanja Vidic who was the long-term partner of Rio Ferdinand for years.

Fabian Balbuena has just made a claim to be a starting centre-back after recording a whopping five tackles against Wolves whilst Ogbonna is averaging 1.7 per game, which is more than Maksimovic, so perhaps he wouldn't be much of an improvement at all.

GSB would be playing a risky game to splash £14m plus wages in excess of the £36k-per-week he's earning in Italy on a player that's hugely untested outside of the Serie A.

Something they can't afford to do after the uproar over selling young sensation Grady Diangana.

AND in other news, Irons targeting a surprise move for rival right-back...