West Ham United are still battling against relegation.
The Hammers are currently 16th in the Premier League, three points clear of AFC Bournemouth.
They have a six-pointer coming up, though, with a game against 17th-placed Watford.
Should they lose to the Hornets, there is every chance that they could drop through the trapdoor; they also play Manchester United and Aston Villa before the end of the season.
Bournemouth, by comparison, play Southampton and Everton.
Nevertheless, they seem to be making plans for the summer transfer window.
The Daily Mail reports that they have made an approach for a Wigan Athletic defender after the Championship club entered administration.
Cedric Kipre is the player, with Wigan facing serious financial difficulties.
The report claims that the Hammers have made an enquiry for the centre-back, though they are not alone; Watford and a number of German clubs are also said to be interested.
Kipre came through the youth academy at PSG, but joined Leicester City in 2014.
He departed in 2017 to join Motherwell, spending a season with the Scottish club, before his move to Wigan.
Kipre has made a total of 75 appearances for the DW Stadium club, scoring two goals, but his contract expires at the end of next season and it appears that the Hammers are hoping to take advantage of Wigan’s woes to lure him to the London Stadium.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
This is a sensible approach from West Ham.
They may well be dropping through the trapdoor to the Championship, particularly if results go against them.
It makes sense for them to take a frugal approach to the summer transfer window, then, as they look to strengthen David Moyes’ squad.
Kipre is a fine player who has developed well at Wigan and, while he may have to adjust to life in east London, it would work as a cheap deal that offers some strength in depth to the squad.
It remains to be seen if they can beat off their competition but they should do everything they can to get it done.