The defensive reinforcements West Ham desperately need

While West Ham should be fully focused on their Premier League opener against Newcastle on Saturday, the Hammers really have a feel of a club in crisis and the mood around East London grows more uncomfortable by the day.

With the battle between fans and the board really reaching boiling point, the sale of talented starlet Grady Diangana to West Brom appears to have been the final straw at the London Stadium.

Although co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold might have insisted that the £18million fee for Diangana will be fully reinvested in West Ham’s leaky defence, the Hammers are yet to make a single new signing.

In desperate need of defensive reinforcements before the transfer window slams shut next month, who are the three names that David Moyes is praying he can bring to East London?

James Tarkowski – Burnley

While West Ham might have seen their latest £30million offer for James Tarkowski rejected by Burnley on Tuesday afternoon, the Hammers have made it abundantly clear that the two-cap England international is their number one target this summer.

With their glaring defensive issues once again highlighted in a horror show 5-3 defeat at home against Bournemouth in a friendly contest over the weekend, it is believed that Moyes sees the 27-year-old as the perfect man to steady the uneasy atmosphere in East London.

Although Sky Sports might have reported that Burnley are unwilling to allow their central defensive star to leave for less than his £50million release clause, Sean Dyche has confirmed that the Clarets are willing to allow Tarkowski to leave Turf Moor if the right deal can be reached.

However, while it might have been suggested by The Standard that Tarkowski is open to a move away from Lancashire this summer, West Ham will face stiff competition for his signature.

Sky Sports reported that Europa League outfit Leicester are monitoring proceedings and have remained a long-time admirer for a defender who helped Burnley record 15 Premier League clean sheets last season.

Adam Smith – Bournemouth

Watching Callum Wilson make the move to Newcastle in a £20million deal on Monday, it has been reported by The Telegraph that West Ham could be eyeing up a potential move for another Bournemouth star.

While Adam Smith might have been unable to help the Cherries cling onto their Premier League status this summer, it is no secret that Moyes is desperate to bring in a new left-back and it appears the Scot could be seeking a cut-price alternative.

With Aaron Cresswell drastically struggling with his form over the past 18 months, Smith certainly has the versatility that Moyes likes and clearly impressed the former Manchester United boss after captaining Bournemouth to their 5-3 win at the London Stadium on Saturday.

Believed that Smith would be relishing the chance to extend his stay in the top-flight this summer, he has mustered 116 Premier League appearances for the South Coast outfit and the 29-year-old would be viewed as a boost for Moyes’ options.

Takehiro Tomiyasu – Bologna

Enjoying what was a hugely successful campaign with Bologna last season and cementing his spot as a fan favourite with the Italian outfit, Takehiro Tomiyasu has apparently attracted interest from across Europe this summer.

Along with it being suggested that Newcastle are also keeping tabs on the 21-year-old, The Standard reported last week that West Ham are have already reached out to Bologna over a potential deal.

Much like Smith, Tomiyasu has a reputation from across Italy for his versatility and can operate at right-back, center half, or as a holding midfielder, something that would be music to the ears of Hammers’ fans.

With The Daily Mail reporting that I Rossoblù value the Japenese international at £16million, the arrival of Tomiyasu this summer could potentially ease the disgruntled fans around East London.