West Ham United have been linked with a move for Manchester City defender John Stones.
Read: ‘Tapped up’ West Ham could lose Nolan and Nevin claims insider
According to the likes of ExWHUemployee and The Sun, Stones is David Moyes’s key defensive target this summer.
The pair worked together at Everton and Moyes is keen to give Stones the chance to resurrect his flagging career at West Ham.
West Ham target has become the face of City’s defensive failings
The former Barnsley star has become the face of Pep Guardiola’s failing defensive unit.
West Ham are being heavily linked to Stones off the back of a torrid season in which he has made just 12 starts in the Premier League.
He has an average match rating of just 6.68 (Whoscored.com).
West Ham boss Moyes told The Evening Standard he is prioritising bolstering his defensive options.
It is easy to see why.
West Ham conceded 60+ goals last term for the third time in the last four seasons.
Moyes prioritising fixing leaky rearguard
Moyes believes Stones is the answer to beefing up the Hammers defence.
And the 26-year-old was again left on the sidelines as Man City crashed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage yet again at the weekend.
The chastening 3-1 defeat to Lyon has ramped up the pressure on Guardiola to revamp CIty’s defence.
Indeed the Spaniard had already conceded as much last month (The Telegraph).
And that will undoubtedly mean Stones’s exit is expedited.
Guardiola rebuild could expedite West Ham move for Stones
Whether West Ham have the money to sign Stones is another matter.
West Ham insiders Claret & Hugh claim Moyes has no money to spend this summer.
The Scot must sell to buy and offloading highly paid, underperforming players is not easy given the current climate.
Therefore the Hammers may well look to the free agent and loan market.
A loan move for Stones seems the only realistic proposition for West Ham, perhaps with an option to buy for a set price.
That would eliminate the risk of Stones attracting a bidding war if he rediscovers his best form and shines under less pressure at West Ham.
Read: ExWHUemployee claims West Ham have enquired about free agent on verge of Newcastle move
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