Reliable West Ham insider ExWHUemployee has claimed on Twitter that West Ham are in for Genk right-back Joakim Maehle.

Right-back is clearly an area where the Hammers need to strengthen this month.

Pablo Zabaleta is 35, and is leaving in the summer. Ryan Fredericks is currently injured, meanwhile, but in truth, he has hardly impressed since joining the club in the summer of 2018.

And ExWHUemployee has claimed that West Ham are looking to address that issue by attempting to sign Genk ace Joakim Maehle:

Yes but I believe the offer has been rejected (for now) we are now in for another danish right back Maehle from Genk too. https://t.co/KvHpaGS6Rq — ExWHUemployee (@ExWHUemployee) January 28, 2020

I think we have already. The two danish right backs we are in for have the same agent. Think it is felt by the club Maehle is the better one going forward but the other is better defensively https://t.co/ApH2Y6TczG — ExWHUemployee (@ExWHUemployee) January 28, 2020

So is the Dane the kind of player the Hammers need?

The 22-year-old has racked up four assists in 20 league outings for Genk this season (Transfermarkt), so it is clear to see that he likes to venture forward.

He is also a very solid defender.

In six Champions League outings for Genk this season, Maehle averaged 3.3 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 1.7 clearances and 0.7 blocks per game (Who Scored).

He recorded an impressive 32 ball recoveries too (Uefa.com).

The Genk ace can also play in the right midfielder position (Transfermarkt), and that kind of versatility will undoubtedly appeal to West Ham manager David Moyes.

At just 22, Maehle obviously still has plenty of years left ahead of him in which to improve.

In spite of his tender years, however, the Dane is already extensively experienced, having made 136 career club appearances. He has a league title with Genk to his name as well.

And he seems like exactly the kind of right-back West Ham should be looking at.