Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza has been “offered” to West Ham, along with two other Premier League clubs, according to reports.

The Daily Mail claim that the Hammers, Newcastle and Aston Villa have all been made aware of the 26-year-old’s availability this month.

Mingueza has been capped four times by Spain, but he is out of contract at the end of the season, and Celta are willing to let thee fullback go in January rather than allowing him to depart on a free transfer this summer.

The La Liga club have reportedly slapped an £8m asking price on the player, but it remains to be seen whether anyone will be tempted to pay that much for him, considering his contract situation.

Teams outside of Spain can already discuss a pre-contract agreement with Mingueza ahead of a move in July.

Would West Ham be tempted to sign him this month?

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is on the lookout for defenders, but Mingueza is probably not the type of player he wants.

While the Spaniard can play as a centre-half, he is usually deployed as a fullback or even a wingback. All of his games for Celta this campaign have been on the right or the left-hand side of defence.

Who could be targeted instead to strengthen the backline?

It looks like a move for Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell is no longer under consideration. Trusted insider ExWHUEmployee claims Nuno has been put off by his valuation.

Cheaper alternatives have been explored with Nuno’s agent Jorge Mendes having offered up the likes of Braga’s Bright Arrey-Mbi and Le Harve’s Etienne Kinkoue.

Neither have experience of English football, which could be a problem, but Kinkoue (in particular) is available on the cheap. Like Mingueza, his contract expires at the end of the season.

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