West Ham are exploring the free agent market in a bid to bring in a new centre-back.

Former Liverpool defender Joel Matip is among the players being considered and talks over a potential deal for the 33-year-old are set to continue this week.

The Hammers are also looking at 31-year-old John Egan, who left Sheffield United over the summer.

West Ham let both Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd leave on loan last week and new boss Julen Lopetegui is keen to further bolster his backline, following the signings this summer of Max Kilman for £40m and Jean-Clair Todibo on loan with an option to sign him for £34.2m next summer.

Matip left Liverpool at the end of last season after eight years and 201 appearances for the Reds under Jurgen Klopp.

The defender missed the second half of last season with a serious knee injury and has not played since December 3.

Egan left Sheffield United in the summer after six years and more than 200 appearances at Bramall Lane.

West Ham had 19-year-old Kaelan Casey on the bench for their 3-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday and Lopetegui wants to strengthen his back-up options for Kilman, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Todibo.