David Moyes is set to make a late move for £15million Marseille defender Duje Caleta Car.
The West Ham boss is keen to fight off interest from Wolves to land the 6ft 4in centre-back. Should he succeed, it is likely Issa Drop could be allowed to join Newcastle.
Caleta Car is a Croatia international, has played 20 times for his country and was part of the squad that finished as runners-up to France in the 2018 World Cup.
West Ham have already had a loan offer with a permanent option to buy rejected this month by the club's president Pablo Longoria.
But Moyes is determined to land Caleta Car in order to reinforce his defensive options with the Hammers in the Europa League and the FA Cup as well as competing for the top four.
The 25-year-old has impressed Moyes with his authority in the air and his confidence with the ball at his feet and his defensive discipline.
Conceding goals has been a concern for West Ham as the club have shipped 31 so far this season - the worst record in the top six and only the second worst in the Premier League ’s top ten.
Defeats to Manchester United and Leeds have heightened the urgency to strengthen the club’s defence. If Moyes lands Caleta-Car when West Ham would be open to engaging with Newcastle over their interest in Diop.
The 25-year-old arrived from Toulouse for around £25 million in the summer of 2018 and started life at the London Stadium well with a stand-out display in victory over Manchester United - then managed by Jose Mourinho who lavished praise on him.
But this season Diop has lost his form while covering for the injured Angelo Ogbonna. Although Newcastle have yet to make a firm bid for him, the Magpies have been fruitless in their search for a defender so far.
They’ve been priced out of moves for Lille’s Sven Botman and Sevilla’s Diego Carlos but they could find West Ham willing to business for Drop at a realistic price that allows the east Londoners to reinvest in Caleta-Car.
