West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce is reportedly keen to land Senegal international Kara Mbodj in the summer as a direct replacement for Winston Reid.
Hammers chiefs are said to be resigned to losing their key centre-back at the end of the season, with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur rumoured to be chasing the out-of-contract star.
Despite a move away from Upton Park seemingly breaking down during the mid-season window, The Mirror claims that West Ham have already begun preparing for life after Reid by sending scouts to watch Mbodj in action.
It had previously been suggested that Allardyce was close to signing the Genk defender earlier this week, although due to Africa Cup of Nations commitments with Senegal there was little time to wrap up a deal.