West Ham bid for Ukraine international Ruslan Malinovskyi

Ruslan Malinovskyi is West Ham United's primary transfer target for January, with David Moyes' side locked in talks with Serie A side Atalanta regarding a move. The 29-year-old moved to Italy in 2019 from Belgian side Genk and has appeared in over 100 games for his current club.

The Hammers are desperate to add reinforcements to their struggling side, with a midfield acquisition their priority. Malinovskyi has played 51 times for his country, with a return of seven goals. The versatile midfielder is comfortable playing in defensive midfield or as an attacking midfielder; and it is expected that the former Shakhtar Donetsk player will provide cover for Declan Rice. With Rice's own future at the Irons unclear, Malinovskyi could become an eventual replacement for the England international.

Tottenham are also amongst the teams looking to side the midfielder, and West Ham will be delighted to have beaten their bitter rivals to the signing. Spurs' manager Antonio Conte has demanded £150 million in transfer funds this January, and Malinovskyi had emerged as a top target for the White Hart Lane outfit.