West Ham are considering an ambitious move to sign Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa, reports The Times.
The 32-year-old right-back is being considered as a late alternative to Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson, who the club are eager to re-sign on a season-long loan deal.
Having earned 58 caps with Spain, as well as winning a World Cup in 2010, Arbeloa has great pedigree within the game, and also has solid Premier League experience after a two-and-a-half season stint with Liverpool before signing for Madrid in 2009.
The Times believe that the Hammers would be able to court the experience defender and persuade him to join the club. Having only a year left on his current contract, they also hope to swing a deal with Madrid to sign the defender without a transfer fee.
Dani Carvajal is tipped for a bigger first-team role with Madrid next season, meaning Arbeloa could be forced to find a move away if he wants regular first-team opportunities as his career begins to enter the latter stages.
