According to a report by Get French Football News, West Ham United have 'reinitiated contacts' and 'restarted' talks with Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car.

The Lowdown: West Ham still hunting centre-half...

The Hammers have earmarked a new central defensive addition as their top priority before signing a new striker according to ExWHUemployee, but time is fast running out to get deals over the line.

August 31, the summer transfer window deadline, is slowly approaching and thus far West Ham have only confirmed one major signing with goalkeeper Alphonse Areola joining on loan from Paris-Saint Germain.

The Latest: West Ham re-start Caleta-Car talks

As per GFFN, the Irons are now in contact with Caleta-Car and are holding talks with the player - but no approach to his club, Marseille, has been made yet.

[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-gossip/" title="West Ham latest gossip…" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]

Indeed, while West Ham are back in touch with the Croatia international, they are yet to commence negotiations with Marseille or make an official bid to sign Caleta-Car this summer.

However, as per this report, Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma remains West Ham's priority as a potential central defensive signing.

The Verdict: Milenkovic the better option...

Caleta-Car does arguably have the credentials to be a successful Premier League signing.

The £22.5 million-valued powerhouse, standing at a colossal 6 foot 4, averaged a higher pass accuracy (86.1%) out from the back domestically than any West Ham defender last season (WhoScored).

However, fellow West Ham target Nikola Milenkovic possesses similar physical traits and could leave Fiorentina for as little as €15 million (£12.7m) this summer according to Charlie Eccleshare.

We believe GSB need to secure their central defensive signing as soon as possible and move on to the big issue of signing a striker, so the cheaper and more attainable option in Milenkovic makes a lot of sense.

In other news: 'Yesssss', 'What we've been asking for'...West Ham fans flock to official club post, find out more here.