By Dave Langton

West Ham are exploring a loan move for Southampton defender Jan Bednarek before the end of the transfer window.

The Hammers have been rocked by a central defensive crisis, with Nayef Aguerd ruled out and Angelo Ogbonna’s fitness still under a major question mark.

That has led to the Irons looking at the loan market before the deadline tomorrow, with the window closing at 11pm on Thursday.

Bednarek is a player who has been made available for loan by Southampton, although there is also interest from Aston Villa.

It remains to be seen if Villa will attempt to do a deal for Bednarek that involves a transfer fee but the Hammers only want to sign the Poland international on loan.

He has played for Saints since 2017 and has played 153 times for the club.

Saints are currently 13th in the Premier League table, having won one and drawn one of their opening four games.