West Ham United boss David Moyes has added Mainz central defenders Jeremiah St Juste and Moussa Niakhate to his list of transfer targets and the move 'makes sense' as they will cost less than other potential London Stadium acquisitions, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.
Moyes failed to welcome any fresh faces to east London during the winter window, but it appears he has already set his sights on securing reinforcements ahead of next season.
What's the latest news involving St Juste and Niakhate?
According to respected German journalist Christian Falk, West Ham are interested in tempting St Juste away from Bundesliga side Mainz.
The Sport Bild reporter claims the Hammers are not St Juste's only Premier League suitors as Leicester City are also tracking the 25-year-old, while Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen could make a move.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph have revealed West Ham are in the hunt to sign St Juste's central defensive partner Niakhate for a cut-price fee in the summer.
The report suggests the 11-cap former France under-21 international could cost as little as £8million and his price tag has also alerted Newcastle United and Everton.
Mainz are willing to offload the 26-year-old for a smaller fee due to Niakhate entering the final 12 months of his £12,000-per-week contract at the end of the season.
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What has Pete O'Rourke said about St Juste and Niakhate?
O'Rourke believes Moyes has been shrewd in adding St Juste and Niakhate to his list of targets ahead of the summer transfer window opening for business.
The journalist reckons the Mainz duo could be available for considerably less than the figures West Ham would have to fork out to sign defenders from Premier League rivals.
O'Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: "It makes sense why they're looking at St Juste and Niakhate.
"They are probably relatively cheap compared to some of their other targets playing in England."
Why are St Juste and Niakhate of interest to West Ham?
Although injuries have restricted St Juste to just nine appearances this season, he has already enjoyed plenty of success during his career.
The Dutchman, who is valued at £14.4million by Transfermarkt, won the Johan Cruyff Shield twice and the KNVB Cup during his time with previous employers Feyenoord.
Meanwhile, Niakhate's contract situation means West Ham could bag an experienced defender on the cheap despite being rated at £16.2million, which would surely represent good business.
The Mainz captain has been a regular feature at the heart of the Bundesliga side's backline, with him making 30 appearances this season.