New West Ham United boss David Moyes is looking to make Stoke City's Joe Allen one of his first signings after replacing Manuel Pellegrini.

The experienced Scotsman will be tasked with keeping the Hammers up after they have endured a very tough first half to the season which sees them sitting just one place above the relegation zone.

Therefore, bringing in the right players could be crucial in the New Year and Guardian reporter Jacob Steinberg has revealed that the Welsh international is a name high up on the list that the ex-Everton manager wants.

"Stoke’s Joe Allen likely to be one of the first players David Moyes targets for West Ham in January."

Allen has been a regular for Stoke City this season in what has been a dismal campaign for themselves. The Potters are outside the bottom three on goal difference and the 29-year-old has come in for a lot of criticism from supporters for his displays.

Do you know where these 15 ex-Stoke City players are playing now?

He has missed just two games this season and played the full 90 minutes as Stoke lost 1-0 to Fulham at Craven Cottage yesterday.

The verdict

This would be a fantastic move for Allen because the reality is that his performances in the Championship don't merit top-flight interest.

Of course, he has proven himself at that level in the past but it would still be a risk on West Ham's part.

As for Stoke, they need to shift the big earners and they would surely welcome a sale that will give Michael O'Neill some funds to bring his own new faces in.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.