West Ham United are already preparing to find Winston Reid’s successor after sending scouts to watch Genk's Senegalese international Kara Mbodj, according to the Mirror.

Mbodj, 25, looked set to join the Hammers on transfer deadline day before running out of time, but reports suggest manager Sam Allardyce will renew his interest in the summer.

The versatile 6ft 4in powerhouse, adept at centre-back and defensive midfield, starred for Senegal in the African Cup of Nations and could be the ideal replacement for Reid, who will be a free agent in the summer.

The Hammers were linked with a host of defenders during January, are in somewhat of a defensive predicament with James Collins, Winston Reid and Carl Jenkinson all injured.