West Ham are preparing a January bid for Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The Sunday Mirror says West Ham will offer Cesc an escape route from Chelsea if the Spaniard cannot break back into Antonio Conte's first-team on a regular basis.

The Hammers are keeping the former Barca star's situation under review as the ripples from the midfielder's early-season absence - he was a sub for the first five Premier League games - swept around the top flight.

Spain international Fabregas was restored to Conte's side for the EFL Cup victory over champions Leicester last week – he scored twice in a 4-2 extra-time win - and also started on Saturday against former club Arsenal.

With West Ham struggling to find their feet this season, they would be happy to have the ex-World Cup winner on their books to help prop up a midfield that has been found wanting so far this season.