Hammers scour out-of-contract market

I attended a PFA organised pre-season training camp for out-of-contract players in Leicestershire last week, jotting down my thoughts in this article about free agents potentially being 'gold dust' for clubs.

It was a reminder that just because the transfer window has closed, it is still possible to sign players.

West Ham are one of the Premier League clubs who could get involved.

Nayef Aguerd's deadline day loan move to Real Sociedad and Kurt Zouma's departure for the Saudi Pro League left them with three central defenders, Maximilian Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos.

That is one short of the ideal number, so now technical director Tim Steidten is looking to see what is available in that particular market.

Former Liverpool star Joel Matip has been mentioned as one alternative.

Expect a new arrival to be in place before preparations begin in earnest for the trip to Fulham on 14 September.