West Ham could now sign Torino defender Ola Aina for nothing, coming after a failed summer deadline day bid last year.

The Lowdown: Hammers' busy summer...

Manager David Moyes and the Irons board oversaw one of the busiest summers in their history last year, sealing deals for Alphonse Areola, Nayef Aguerd, Flynn Downes, Gianluca Scamacca, Maxwel Cornet, Thilo Kehrer, Emerson Palmieri and club record signing Lucas Paqueta.

Their plethora of transfer activity totalled £162 million, not including the winter addition of Danny Ings from Aston Villa, but unfortunately West Ham's performances on the pitch haven't reflected this series of investments.

The Premier League relegation-battlers are currently just one point off the bottom three and face a crunch last few months of the campaign.

The Latest: West Ham gifted opportunity...

In some good news for West Ham, allnigeriasoccer report that they could now have an opportunity to seal a missed summer target at zero cost.

The African news outlet claims Moyes' side lodged a summer deadline day bid for Aina of Torino last year but were knocked back.

West Ham are still eyeing a move now, and according to allnigeria, the east Londoners 'could be saving transfer funds' by signing the right-back 'for nothing' this year.

Contract talks with Torino have apparently stalled and Aina's current deal is set to expire at the end of this season.

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The Verdict: Great player?

Called 'unbelievable' by sections of the press, Aina has experience starring for Fulham in England and has even been praised for his versatility.

According to WhoScored, over his 14 Serie A appearances this season, the 26-year-old has won their joint-most Man of the Match awards whilst ranking as their second-best performer overall.

Aina, going by the numbers, is a highly attack-minded player - having registered Torino's joint-highest rate of successful take-ons per 90 (WhoScored).

Indeed, the Nigerian could be an asset at West Ham, especially as an alternative to Vladimir Coufal or the out-of-form Ben Johnson.