West Ham United have basked in a thrilling ride under the tutelage of David Moyes, navigating away from their languishing position at the pit of the Premier League and enjoying consecutive European campaigns, however, they now face adversity once more. 

What’s the word?

The Hammers finished seventh last season in the Premier League, but have failed to replicate past feats this time around, currently sitting in 16th place after 15 matches, just one point above the relegation zone.

And now transfer guru Dean Jones, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, has said that the Hammers are “looking at a few different options” ahead of the winter market, with Everton’s Michael Keane one potential target. 

Despite boasting the best defensive record of any side in the bottom half of the table, Moyes is seeking to inject new life into the backline, with Kurt Zouma recently having surgery on a knee injury and Craig Dawson possibly leaving in January. 

Avoid at all costs

Keane has slipped down the pecking order at Everton thanks to the summer signings of James Tarkowski and Conor Coady, who have formed a formidable partnership in front of Jordan Pickford’s goal, with the star now set to leave the Merseyside outfit. 

And with Jones stating that Moyes’ funds in this department of the field might be somewhat restricted, a move for Keane might be something that West Ham actively pursue in the coming weeks. 

Despite this, the East London outfit must avoid the 29-year-old Englishman at all costs, with his frequent lapses in concentration and “lack of leadership”, as mentioned by Paul Robinson, not tools fit to fix the current issues the Hammers are beset with. 

Playing a peripheral role for the Toffees this term, Keane, signed from Burnley in a deal rising to £30m, has hardly inspired confidence, or indeed staked a claim to recapture his starting spot in the team.

As per Sofascore, the centre-back has recorded a measly 6.3 rating in his only Premier League appearance, against Brentford, faring worse in the EFL Cup, putting in a solid showing against League One side Fleetwood Town before sitting at the epicentre of a damaging 4-1 defeat at the hands of AFC Bournemouth. 

In that display, Keane lost possession 14 times, winning just one of his three ground duels and making just one tackle; hardly statistics that evoke confidence for a West Ham team looking to return to the upper end of the division. 

One journalist labelled him as “pathetic” following a loss of focus that conceded defeat late on to Manchester City in the 21/22 season, where he played a regular role in a defensive line that shipped 66 goals across the league campaign. 

With Everton boss Frank Lampard eager to wipe his name from the books, it is slightly perplexing that Moyes feels making a move for the 12-cap England international is a prudent move, especially given the club's delicate league position.