Writing for The Evening Standard, reliable reporter Jack Rosser has made a West Ham United transfer claim involving Liverpool defender Nathaniel Phillips.

The Lowdown: West Ham in defensive crisis...

As the Irons suffer a blow in their race for a top four finish, succumbing to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal on Wednesday evening, manager David Moyes' task to keep West Ham fighting at the top could only get harder.

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Amid a hectic schedule with his side continuing to battle on all fronts, injuries to Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma have left Moyes short in central defence.

Only Issa Diop and Craig Dawson remain as senior options for the Scotsman, prompting the club to look at targets in the January window to reinforce West Ham's options.

The Latest: Reliable reporter makes Phillips claim...

As explained by Rosser, writing for The Evening Standard, West Ham are 'prepared to push ahead' with a move to sign Phillips from Liverpool despite his fractured cheekbone.

Moyes is personally keen to add another central defender to his ranks with the 24-year-old a target and his recent injury apparently will not be a factor to West Ham swooping next month.

The Verdict: Right move?

As Liverpool slash his asking price from the summer, we believe the Hammers and recruitment chief Rob Newman could be striking a bargain if they move for Phillips.

The Athletic reported in the summer that FSG valued the player at £15m, with The Standard now claiming they will let him go for £10m, and West Ham should take full advantage of the discount.

Lauded as a 'monster' by manager Jurgen Klopp, Phillips contributed well during their injury crisis in defence last season - starting 15 Premier League matches and making more clearances on average than any Liverpool player (WhoScored).

Still at a fairly young age, the defender has many years to develop and mature into an even better option and the fact he is homegrown could come as an even greater incentive.

In other news: 'Pleeease', 'I would cry'...West Ham fans erupt as Moyes now offered 'quality signing', find out more here.