West Ham United could now be in the transfer market for a new centre-back this January...

What's the word?

According to Football League World, the Hammers are now considering a move for Middlesborough colossus Dael Fry when the window reopens in under two months' time.

It comes less than a week after the east London outfit learned of Angelo Ogbonna's devastating blow, having sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during their 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday.

The extent of the injury is yet to be announced but at worst, the 33-year-old veteran could miss 9-12 months of football, if not more. And considering his age, it would be hard to foresee a long-term return for him under David Moyes.

Moyes now needs him

Therefore, it makes sense for the Irons to target a new defender as the Scotsman now badly needs another man in the role. Fry is an intriguing candidate.

Standing at 6 foot 4, the 24-year-old has been an impressive and consistent option at the Riverside, so it could be time for him to step up into the big time.

Fry currently rates out as Boro's fifth-best performer (6.93 average rating) and he is among the top three players for aerial duels won (5.2) and clearances (3.1) per game in the Championship, as per WhoScored.

Former Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock highlighted the Englishman's importance to the side during an interview back in February this year, via the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"You can put people in and think you can do this. But you cannot replace quality like that. And we cannot replace Dael. He is our best centre-half by a mile. We can play around him and if Dael is fit, we have got different people to fit here and there. But we cannot replace Dael. He is the complete player for me.

"He just gives us so much confidence. I am sure Jurgen, when Van Dijk is there, never thinks about the back four because he does it for them. You just have to hope your best players don’t get injured. Whatever level it is."

Valued at just £6.3m by Transfermarkt, Fry could be a bargain solution to Moyes' latest injury blow. He won't be expected to come in and start every week either, with Issa Diop and Craig Dawson ahead of him in the pecking order but in the long-term, it could prove to be just as shrewd a signing.

The Middlesbrough sensation must be seriously considered by West Ham's head of recruitment, Rob Newman, in the coming months.

AND in other news, Moyes' genius: West Ham struck gold with "important" 21 y/o gem who's "got everything"...