West Ham close on double defender swoop

West Ham United are closing in on the double signing of Aston Villa’s former England left-back Stephen Warnock and Wolfsburg defender Emanuel Pogatetz.

According to reports in the London Evening Standard both players are set to undergo medicals today and could complete their move to Upton Park in the next 24 hours.

Warnock, who has not featured for Aston Villa this season, is available on a free transfer after Villa decided to cut their losses on a player who new manager Paul Lambert has not utilized during his tenure of the club.

Pogatetz, who may be known to some West Ham fans due to his 5-year stint with Middlesbrough, is expected to sign on loan initially with the option to make the move permanent in the summer. During his playing days with ‘Borough he was known as ‘Mad Dog’ due to his aggressive defending, something which I am sure Mr. Allardyce will be very keen on.

On another note, West Ham’s new striker Paulista has been given a run out today for the development squad against Arsenal, the player is apparently lacking fitness following his arrival from Brazil and the West Ham team are trying to get him up to match fitness as fast as possible.

Hopefully we will get to see what the boy from Brazil is like on Wednesday against Fulham if he makes the squad.