Report: West Ham plotting two January signings, including ‘brilliant’ striker with 20 goals this season

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West Ham have identified Nat Phillips and Ben Brereton Diaz as priority signings this month, according to The Express.

David Moyes has been keen to add a new striker to his squad to provide cover for Michail Antonio for some time. While mid-season injuries to Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma has made the Hammers explore the market for a new centre-back.

The East London side are yet to make a move in the January transfer window as they look to mount a top-four challenge. And reports suggest they could acquire Brereton Diaz and Phillips for a combined fee of £40m.

The Hammers faithful have been crying out for a striker ever since Sebastien Haller departed for Ajax in January 2021. However, Moyes faces a hurdle in signing Brereton Diaz from Blackburn. Tony Mowbray’s side currently sit third in the Championship. Meaning they would be unwilling to let the Chilean leave in the middle of a promotion push.

Since Rovers last kicked a ball in the Premier League they have spent a season in League One before picking up three mid-table Championship finishes. They are now just five points behind league leaders Fulham, and they owe a lot of that to Brereton Diaz’ goals.

The 22-year-old, who has been hailed as ‘brilliant’ by current boss Tony Mowbray (Lancashire Telegraph), has 20 goals in 27 Championship appearances, which is 13 more than he managed in the whole of last season. This is why they value him at £25m despite his current contract running out in six months, though there is an option to extend that by a further year.

Nat Phillips

West Ham’s interest in the Liverpool centre-back has been well reported in recent months. Phillips was a key player for Jurgen Klopp’s side in an injury-hit campaign for the reds. The 24-year-old made 17 Premier League appearances as they qualified for the Champions League. However, he is yet to make a single appearance in the league this season.

He has fallen down the pecking order since Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez returned from injury. As a result, Klopp will allow the defender to leave in search of more regular football, with the club valuing him at £15m.