West Ham United could turn their attentions to Axel Tuanzebe this summer...

What's the word?

That's according to the reliable ExWHUemployee, who made an intriguing claim during a recent episode of his 'The West Ham Way' podcast this week.

ESPN believe the 23-year-old centre-back is set to ask Manchester United for a loan move to ensure he gets regular first-team football next season. Despite being highly rated at Old Trafford, he has found game time hard to come by.

And the London Stadium could be a potential destination, with Irons boss David Moyes said to be eyeing a central defensive addition in this transfer window.

“Speaking of Manchester United, it’s been confirmed that Axel Tuanzebe is available on loan.

"Now I do know that David Moyes likes him, so he could be someone who we potential look to loan with a clause to buy - that’s if we don’t get our other targets."

The anonymous Ex has previously revealed that the likes of Burnley's James Tarkowski, Duje Caleta-Car of Marseille and Nikola Maksimovic at Napoli are the main players of interest but they aren't the only ones keen.

Lingard repeat

This could be an interesting signing to make, especially given the success of Jesse Lingard's temporary stint in East London.

The 27-year-old attacking midfielder was restricted to only three cup appearances for United before Moyes took a chance on the England outcast in January.

He quickly showed the Premier League and Gareth Southgate exactly what he could do, finishing the campaign with nine goals and five assists, ranking as the Hammers' second-best player, as per WhoScored ratings.

This success could be very appealing to both Tuanzebe and United as Moyes could get the best out of the young defender before he returns to his parent club to fight for a place.

The 6 foot 1 colossus, valued at just £7.2m by Transfermarkt, won promotion to the Premier League during his last loan spell at Aston Villa but he has been restricted to just 29 appearances in all competitions since then.

In the past, there has been a belief that Tuanzebe could develop into United's next Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic, whilst Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has deemed him a "great leader" and a "tremendous defender," via the club's official website.

He may not be a signing as exciting as Lingard but Moyes could well repeat his masterstroke call to take the gamble on him by bringing his Old Trafford teammate to the Irons.

With interest mounting in the likes of Tarkowski and Maksimovic, Tuanzebe wouldn't be a bad alternative option at all.

AND in other news, Moyes must now axe £16.2m-rated West Ham disaster who Husillos once dubbed "fantastic"...