West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini needs to act fast to avoid missing out on the perfect January signing.
West Ham are expected to be busy in January as they nurse a Premier League-worst injury list.
A key weakness is at right-back where there is a huge over reliance on the brilliant but ageing Pablo Zabaleta.
Over reliance on ageing Zabaleta
Ryan Fredericks has struggled since moving to East London from Fulham and is out for the forseeable future through injury.
When Zabaleta was ruled out of West Ham’s games against Southampton and Burnley through illness forward Michail Antonio has to deputise with mixed results.
Cardiff confident on Clyne
It has been reported that Fulham and Leicester City are also interested in securing the services of the 27-year-old right-back.
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock is confident of bringing the former Crystal Palace and Southampton defender to the Cardiff City Stadium next month on loan, according to the report.
But Pellegrini would be mad not to trump the Bluebirds to Clyne’s signing.
Pellegrini must act fast to beat Bluebirds to Liverpool star
The athletic right back would be ideal for West Ham’s style under Pellegrini and has more top flight experience than Fredericks.
An established England international, Clyne would push Zabaleta for a starting spot when both fit.
West Ham are a bigger draw than Cardiff and enjoying a comfortable season with a realistic chance of Europe.
A return to London, where Clyne played for Palace, could also be in West Ham’s favour.
If an initial loan move is a success it could pave the way for a permanent deal come the summer.
West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold are known to prefer that kind of deal structure in a move that could suit all parties.
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