West Ham United might be set to miss out on one reported target, unless they make their move very quickly…

What’s the word?

According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Aston Villa are now best-placed to sign Jan Bednarek from Southampton.

Just last week he had claimed that the Hammers held a genuine interest in the Polish defender, but he has now issued a new update via Twitter.

Crook stated: “#AVFC now looking most likely destination for Bednarek. #SaintsFC are looking for a half-decent fee though.”

It seems that unless David Moyes can force GSB to act fast, then West Ham will miss out on this defensive target.

Moyes must act fast

After a less than impressive start to the Premier League season for the Irons, it is already becoming clear that Moyes needs to add some defensive steel to his ranks.

They have already brought in Thilo Kehrer to feature alongside Kurt Zouma, but with the Hammers shipping five league goals already this term, neither of these would appear to boast the hardy nature needed to grind out clean sheets when their backs are against the wall. They require a defender of Bednarek’s ilk, with Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl labelling him a “robust” centre-back.

The 6 foot 2 goliath boasts phenomenal statistics for a centre-back, whilst also posing an incredible set piece threat. Given West Ham's tendency to rely on such goals, outlined in the ten that they scored from corners last season (fourth-most in the league), adding Bednarek’s threat (four goals in 2021/22) should only aid the process.

He has also proven to be more than capable of playing out from the back, recording one key pass per game, but it is in the more defensive parts of his game where he can really shine for Moyes.

The £20k-per-week ace ranks in the top 4% for interceptions, as well as the top 11% for both blocks and clearances, among positional peers in Europe's top five leagues over the last 12 months. For comparison, he outperforms Kehrer in all of these attributes.

An “amazing” defender according to Hasenhuttl, the 26-year-old could certainly improve whichever team he joins, and Moyes should certainly consider Bednarek as an ideal option to bolster a thin squad who will have to contend with Europa Conference League football this season as well.

West Ham must act quickly to secure the deal, or else they risk losing him to a Premier League rival.