West Ham United sent scouts to watch Sampdoria centre-back Omar Colley in action, according to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira on Twitter.
The Hammers are making their intentions known in the transfer market already this month, with the London outfit being linked with a number of players as they set about bolstering the quality in their squad, in a bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Although West Ham boss David Moyes is keen to strengthen in the midfield areas of the pitch, he has reportedly been attracted to the Gambian defender, who went up against Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his AC Milan side on Monday.
The Hammers had scouts at that game, giving the powerful centre-back the once over, with an eye on bringing him to the Premier League this month.
Colley had an excellent game, displaying the attributes that have caught the eye of the West Ham staff, with his pace and power clearly being suited to English football.
The Hammers are in need of another defender as they have doubts over the reliability of Paraguay international Fabian Balbuena, who has spent the majority of this season on the sidelines with injury or out of favour, leaving the London Stadium side reliant on Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna to patrol the heart of their back line.
Given that it is coming up to two years for the last time that Winston Reid wore the West Ham shirt, Moyes is acutely aware that this is another area of the pitch that needs work over the course of the January window.
If the Hammers are to get the Serie A giant, they could have their work cut out, as it has been suggested by the reliable source that they were not the only ones with scouts in attendance at the match against Milan.
West Ham’s Premier League rivals Newcastle United were also believed to be checking out the defender, amid their own interest in the African.