West Ham are closing in on their fifth signing of the summer transfer window and it will be one to bolster the centre back core at the club on the even of the new season.
Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini has identified another centre half as a priority position to strengthen with just a few days of the transfer window remaining and many names have been mentioned.
Free agent Gary Cahill is one of those mentioned but football.london understands the former Chelsea defender is not the player the club is looking at.
Another player that it it won't be is American centre back Aaron Long, who has been linked with the Hammers but cannot get a work permit to play in the Premier League.
The club has identified a teenage Portuguese defender who fits the bill to challenge Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop for a regular first team place and also to push along Angelo Ogbonna and Winston Reid.
West Ham have leaked 12 goals in pre-season ahead of the new campaign which gets underway next Saturday when they host Manchester City at London Stadium.
Diop and Balbuena are expected to be the first choice centre halves at the club this summer but this newest recruit is expected to provide stern competition for them both.
Football.London understands that a move for the new player is not a done deal by any stretch with a few loose ends to tie up before any switch can be confirmed.
The Hammers remaining transfer budget is not big to make any new signings so the new arrival is not going to be breaking any records for fees.
