West Ham exploring surprise late Swansea City transfer raid | OneFootball

West Ham United are exploring a late move for Swansea City captain Ben Cabango on deadline day

West Ham United's summer business took a while to get up to speed, but with just hours remaining, the Hammers are looking to get some important business over the line, with Nuno Espírito Santo keen on bolstering his defensive options before the 11 pm deadline tonight.

According to Pete O'Rourke via X, West Ham are exploring a late move for Swansea City centre-back and club captain Ben Cabango on the final day of the window.

The 26-year-old has been an almost ever-present in the heart of the Swans defence for the past five years, and now, West Ham are looking to tempt the Welsh international to the English capital today.

West Ham United are exploring a deal for Swansea City captain Ben Cabango

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West Ham are keen on bolstering their defensive options before the end of the window, with Swansea's Cabango having entered their radar.

The Hammers have seen both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf leave the club this summer to deplete their defensive options, whilst Jean-Clair Todibo is expected to leave sooner rather than later, and Axel Disasi has opted to join Crystal Palace on loan instead of the Hammers.

This leaves just Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, and Joel Veltman as the only senior recognised centre-backs in their squad, whilst youngster Airidas Golambeckis has earned minutes for the club in the League Cup.

Cabango would provide another solid option in the heart of the defence at the London Stadium, as West Ham explore a potential late move for the 26-year-old.

Why West Ham United are interested in Ben Cabango

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Cabango has spent his entire professional career contracted to Swansea, making his debut for the club in the 2019/20 campaign, as aside from a loan with TNS, he has represented only the Swans, making 279 appearances across all competitions for the club and counting.

Capped 16 times by Wales, Cabango has proven to be a solid option in the heart of defence at both Championship and international level, and at 26, could be ready to make the next step of his career.

Not quite the modern-day centre-back, Cabango won't be playing defence-splitting passes, nor will he be evading pressing attackers with the ball at his feet. Instead, his defensive acumen makes up for his lack of presence in the build-up phase, and will slot seamlessly into West Ham's back line.

Swansea's defensive crisis may mean they are reluctant to part ways with their captain, especially at this stage in the window, but West Ham will try and tempt them into a deal nonetheless, as the East London outfit explore the possibility of bringing the Swans captain to the English capital.

Nuno Espírito Santo targets a strong end to the summer window with West Ham United

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With the clock ticking until the deadline, and just hours remaining, time is running out for West Ham to complete their final bits of business.

The Hammers have already completed deals for the likes of Manor Solomon, Arne Engels, Joel Piroe, and Edvin Austbo, focusing predominantly on their attack, whilst neglecting their defence.

Nuno Espírito Santo is looking to ensure that isn't the case come 11 pm tonight, with Cabango firmly on their shortlist.