Taking to Twitter, Sky Sports reporter Angelo Mangiante has made a West Ham United transfer claim involving Borussia Monchengladbach powerhouse Denis Zakaria.

The Lowdown: West Ham in 2022 free agent tussles?

The Switzerland midfielder isn't the first potential 2022 free agent to be linked with a move to the London Stadium in recent weeks, with head of recruitment Rob Newman seemingly eyeing a plethora of pre-contract swoops.

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

Indeed, Burnley defender James Tarkowski and Napoli winger Lorenzo Insigne are other names on the West Ham agenda, with their deals also set to expire at the end of this season.

Newman was brought in to help David Moyes in the transfer market and is gearing up for his first transfer window in his new role in east London after leaving his post as chief scout at Manchester City (The Athletic).

Making a claim on West Ham's transfer plans, and by extension Newman's, Mangiante has some news for Hammers fans.

The Latest: Newman eyeing Zakaria swoop...

As per the Sky journalist, writing on his personal Twitter feed, West Ham and Newman are now eyeing a swoop for Zakaria, with his contract at Monchengladbach running out next year.

It is believed that the Switzerland international is now attracting the Irons' interest alongside the likes of Liverpool and Everton.

The Verdict: Get it done?

Despite the presence of Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek and Alex Kral in the defensive midfield roles, we believe that Zakaria could be a rather shrewd addition from West Ham's perspective.

Whether it be for a small transfer fee in January or as a free agent next summer, the 40-cap international would come with a plethora of experience on the biggest stages in football already, not to mention sell-on potential given he is still just 25 years old.

He has received no shortage of praise in the past either, with Gladbach legend Gunter Netzer previously calling him 'enormously valuable' to the Bundesliga side (Planet Football). Meanwhile, Germany hero Lothar Matthaus once likened Zakaria to Real Madrid star Toni Kroos, highlighting his obvious ability (Planet Football).

Also capable of playing as a centre-half, the 6 foot 3 powerhouse could tick many boxes for West Ham, and it is feasible that they could give him a new lease of life in the Premier League.

In other news: West Ham could already back Moyes with £17.1m bid to sign another 6 foot 3 colossus in January, find out more here.