West Ham United are set to explore the possibility of signing Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall as manager David Moyes looks to strengthen his options at the back.

What's the story?

According to club insider ExWHUemployee (as relayed by HammersNews), the east London outfit have identified the 24-year-old as a possible solution to their injury crisis at the heart of defence.

Speaking on the latest episode of The West Ham Way podcast, he said: “Joe Worrall of Nottingham Forest, a centre-back, he could be someone who we explore with the injury situation at the moment.”

West Ham fans will surely be buzzing

With first-choice centre-back Angelo Ogbonna ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with an ACL injury and Kurt Zouma also set for an extended spell on the sidelines, the January transfer window could prove pivotal for the Hammers.

Moyes' charges are currently pushing for a Champions League qualification spot, have advanced to the knockout stages of the Europa League and are in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Therefore, further reinforcements will be needed over the winter if West Ham are to continue fighting on multiple fronts, meaning the club's supporters will be buzzing to learn of the hierarchy's interest in Worrall.

After rising through the ranks of his boyhood club, the Forest ace departed his hometown on multiple loan deals in order to experience regular first-team football, including a 12-month stint with Rangers throughout 2018/19.

The powerful defender made 32 appearances for the Scottish giants as they finished in second place in the top-flight table, and his eye-catching performances earned the praise of several impressed onlookers.

Following Worrall's only goal for the Gers against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup, his former manager Steven Gerrard showered the 6 foot 4 monster with praise.

“I thought Joe Worrall was outstanding. What a big goal to keep his team in the cup," he told The Scottish Sun (via Nottinghamshire Live). “It was a Man of the Match performance, and he will be a captain of whatever team he plays for. He is a leader, and he stepped up today.”

And the ex-England Under-21 international has gone from strength to strength ever since.

As per Whoscored, Worrall has averaged 2.5 interceptions throughout his 17 Championship outings this season, a whopping 3.6 clearances and 1.1 blocks, placing him in the top two for each metric when compared to his teammates.

Despite the youngster having no Premier League experience, he could prove to be an extremely astute piece of business from West Ham, who have already plucked Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma from the second tier with great success.

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