West Ham United have been handed a boost in their chase to sign Liverpool defender Nat Phillips in this January transfer window.

What's the story?

Reports in recent days and weeks have suggested that the Hammers have got their sights set on the centre-back, and ExWHUEmployee has now revealed that David Moyes' side are "weighing up" a move in this final week of the window.

He said: "Nathan Philips has reportedly told Liverpool that he would like to leave this window and his price is expected to be around £14m. He is another target and someone whose dad shares a good relationship with David Moyes. The club will be weighing up this option against other targets."

Big boost for Moyes

For all the success West Ham have enjoyed this season in the Premier League - they currently lie in fifth place in the table and just one point off fourth-placed Manchester United - injuries have already played a big part in decimating Moyes' side.

Centre-back has been the area most impacted through injuries with Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma in particular suffering extended spells out, leaving the Hammers desperately short of options in the middle, so much so that Craig Dawson has had to play through issues of his own.

Speaking earlier this month, Ex said: "Craig Dawson has had some unfair stick in our minds these last few weeks – especially when he has been struggling with injury himself in recent weeks but has played due to our lack of other options (this has not been widely reported elsewhere)."

The fact it's now being claimed that one of the club's main targets to improve their options in Phillips, is keen to leave Liverpool and that the Hammers have the added advantage of his dad having a "good relationship" with Moyes, leaves them in good stead in this final week of the transfer window.

If they can get a deal over the line for the centre-back, West Ham fans will surely be buzzing.

Meanwhile, West Ham have made their "first offer" for this Ligue 1 striker...