West Ham are keeping tabs on Chris Smalling. (Getty Images)

West Ham are monitoring Manchester United’s transfer activity as they are considering a move for Chris Smalling, Metro.co.uk understands.

Jose Mourinho is in the market for a new central defender and Toby Alderweireld has been targeted, although Tottenham are demanding more than the £55 million that United are willing to pay for the Belgium international.

Should United land another centre-back this summer, Mourinho would need to offload one or face heading into the season with six different options.

And West Ham would be ready to capitalise by making an offer for Smalling.


New Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini has been given a £70 million transfer budget for the summer window and he is aiming to sign two new central defenders.

Smalling could be deemed surplus to requirements this summer. (AFP/Getty Images)



Pellegrini has selected his targets alongside the club’s new director of football Mario Husillos, who he worked closely with at Malaga.

West Ham have already held talks with Swansea City over a deal for Alfie Mawson and are confident that an agreement can be reached.

Pellegrini is also in the market for two new goalkeepers and West Ham have held discussions over a deal for Swansea’s Lukasz Fabianski.

The Hammers have also been forced to drastically rethink their summer transfer plans following Manuel Lanzini’s long-term injury.

Manuel Lanzini is sidelined for several months after requiring knee surgery. (Getty Images)

Felipe Anderson is on the verge of joining West Ham. (Getty Images)

The midfielder has been ruled out of the World Cup after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in training with Argentina last week.

Lanzini had surgery in Barcelona on Thursday after a consultation with renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ramon Cugat.

West Ham fear that the midfielder will miss the majority of next season and the club will be seeking a replacement in the transfer market this summer.

Reports in Italy have suggested that West Ham are on the brink of signing Lazio midfielder Felipe Anderson in a £26m deal.