Report: Moyes identifies PL defender

West Ham are being linked with Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson as Hammers boss David Moyes heads into the January transfer window.

The story appears to have arisen from the West Ham boss showing a keen interest in the player when he was manager at Sunderland.

Now, The Telegraph reports that whilst Swansea are in talks with the player over a new deal, the Hammers are keen to make a bid.

Moyes has identified the back line as priority areas given the age of  James Collins and Jose Fonte and the 23 year old Mawson is the ideal age profile.

Sunderland are looking for a big fee of around £12 million but the player is valued at £5.3 million by the well respected https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/alfie-mawson/profil/spieler/287431

With Swansea having sacked former manager Paul Lambert it’s unlikely that they will want to lose a key player at this stage of the season with them facing relegation and that could push the price up even were they to consider selling.