Arsenal have registered a surprise interest in West Ham United centre-back Winston Reid.

The New Zealand defender has been impressive for the Hammers as they finished the Premier League campaign, their first since promotion, in tenth place. West Ham’s mean defence was a large factor in this, and Reid stood out as a key part.

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The interest was confirmed by Tor-Kristian Karlsen, a former chief scout and sporting director with information from around the footballing world.

Reid has only two years left on his contract, leaving West Ham with a decision whether to renew it or let him leave.

Obviously Reid isn’t a world-class defender, or a signing that will impress people, but he would be a solid fourth-choice defender behind Mertesacker, Koscielny and Vermaelen. Of course, if he’s replacing Vermaelen as third-choice that’s less than ideal, but we’ll have to see what happens with the captain this summer.

Arsenal could be chasing Reid as a younger alternative to Ashley Williams. Either way, they appear set on adding a Prem-experienced centre-back to their ranks before the transfer window is over.

Watch Reid’s performances for yourself:

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