West Ham are investigating the possibility of signing Athletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld on loan.

The 25-year-old Belgian international joined the Champions League finalists a year ago this month in a EUR7million switch from Ajax but featured in just 12 La Liga matches last season.West Ham have approachedwith view to taking Alderweireld, who also starred for his country in the recent World Cup Finals, on loan for the rst of the season.However Madrid are thought to be keen to recoup the EUR7million they paid for the centre half last summer.Sam Allardyce revealed earlier today that he was keen to tie down an additional central defender ahead of the close of the transfer window.And landing Alderweireld would certainly be seen as something of a coup for the Hammers, who could face a challenge from neighbours Arsenal - who have also been linked with the Belgian - for the player's signature.