West Ham could have to see off the likes of AC Milan, Roma, Juventus and Barcelona if they want to sign Spezia defender Jakub Kiwior in January, according to reports in Italy.

The Polish international is expected to be made available for $10m (£9m) when the transfer window reopens, with his club needing to balance the books.

Kiwior was heavily linked with the Hammers in the summer but it is believed that David Moyes’s side refused to meet Spezia’s valuation of the player at the time.

While West Ham did recruit two defenders in Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer before last month’s transfer deadline, doubts over the future of Craig Dawson mean another centre-back may soon be needed.

Considering Kiwior is just 22 years of age, and has only limited experience of playing at the top level, it would be a surprise if he is the number one candidate to replace Dawson.