West Ham are considering a move for Preston North End centre back Ben Davies before the transfer window closes on Friday, a report from a print edition of The Sunday Mirror (11/10, p73) has claimed.

The Hammers are seemingly keen to add another central defensive to their ranks before the end of the domestic market later this week, and it now seems as though another candidate has emerged to fill that role.

According to this latest update, the Hammers are considering a move for Davies, with the Preston man said to be on the list of options for the Premier League club.

It is thought that West Ham manager David Moyes is already familiar with Davies due to his connections with Preston, having already played for and managed the Lancashire club.

The Hammers are not the first Premier League side to take an interest in Davies this summer, with previous reports claiming that Sheffield United had been interested in the 25-year-old, only to be put off by Preston's £10million asking price.

As things stand, Davies would be a free agent next summer, with his Preston contract set to expire at the end of this season.

The Verdict

Davies could be a decent signing for West Ham.

The Hammers do need a centre back, and the 25-year-old's performances for North End in recent years have suggested that he could be a reliable squad player in the Premier League at the very least.

Indeed, with Davies' contract set to expire at the end of this season, you also feel as though Preston could eventually be tempted to sell before the window closes on Friday, so they do not risk losing such a good player for free at the end of this season.