Hammers’ right-back hunt

By Dave Langton

West Ham boss David Moyes is considering a swoop for a new right-back this summer having already been strongly linked with a Championship fukll back on that side .

The Hammers have just one dedicated senior option in the position in Vlad Coufal, with Ben Johnson seen as a utility player rather than a natural  in the position and Harrison Ashby still yet to truly break through.

Johnson was used at right-back,left-back and lefy wing back last season and was dropped at points, routinely going a few games on the bench.

As a result, Moyes is weighing up a move for a new full-back this summer amid links with Middlesbrough’s Isaiah Jones.

It is not the top priority for the Hammers boss, who is well aware of the investment needed within the squad, and there is a hope that a deal will soon be tied up to sign Alphonse Areola permanently, while there is also likely to be an offer made for Armando Broja at Chelsea soon enough.

But the next item on his to-do list may well be to source a new right-back to provide both cover and competition, especially ahead of a new season that will include European football once again.