West Ham United have reportedly made an ambitious loan bid for Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.
Reports suggest that the Hammers have enquired about the possibility of loaning the Belgian centre-back for the remainder of the season as their defensive crisis continues.
Vermaelen has hardly featured for the Gunners this campaign, making just three starts in the Premier League, with manager Arsene Wenger preferring Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker in central defence.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is in desperate need of some defensive cover following injuries to the likes of Winston Reid, George McCartney, Guy Demel and Joey O'Brien.
