West Ham United have set their sights on a new central defensive target, according to reports...

What's the word?

The Telegraph's Mike McGrath claims that the Irons are now considering a move for Southampton and Denmark colossus Jannik Vestergaard.

It's thought that the 29-year-old was considered last summer but he opted to stay at St Mary's for another season but he is now entering the final year of his £60k-per-week contract, thus making him a viable option before this month's deadline.

David Moyes was interested in Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma but talks failed to progress very far, whilst his primary defensive target Nikola Milenkovic could come at a hefty price.

Transfermarkt currently value the 6 foot 6 Denmark titan at £16.2m.

Sullivan must swoop

Given Vestergaard's experience in the Premier League, he must be considered a very good option, and if David Sullivan and co were to make their move, it would certainly end this ongoing defensive nightmare for Moyes.

The Denmark international has been integral to the Saints' fortunes in recent seasons, having racked up 79 appearances for the club since joining in 2018.

"An outcast for much of last season, an epitome of the transformation since last autumn," wrote Ben Fisher in the Guardian when describing the Dane last November.

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Indeed, Vestergaard rated out as Ralph Hasenhuttl's third-best player for the 2020/21 season, behind the midfield talents of James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu.

At 6 foot 6, he's obviously a massively imposing presence - an average of 3.3 aerial battles won per game also highlights that - but he also has displayed impressive ball-playing qualities, averaging a 83.3% passing accuracy despite spraying 3.6 long balls per game, via WhoScored.

"It’s his passing. It reminds me of [Virgil] Van Dijk. I call it a stationary platform," claimed Martin Keown to talkSPORT. "When you don’t run with the ball you stop and when you look at those two, the way the ping balls, the way he threads things into midfield, the challenges, he’s a big man."

Furthermore, Hasenhuttl has waxed lyrical about his leadership qualities and that should appeal to Moyes greatly, especially if Angelo Ogbonna faces a further stint on the sidelines through injury.

"This season, especially, he has shown some very good qualities and has developed his game massively. He knows that we want him here," the Saints boss said, via HampshireLive. "I think he feels at the moment like a real leader on the pitch."

Vestergaard's current contract situation surely benefits West Ham, so GSB must look to secure him before the end of the month. Moyes would surely love him at the London Stadium.

AND in other news, West Ham can seal bargain swoop for "physical" £18m-rated beast, Moyes would love him...