West Ham are lining up a loan move for Aston Villa defender Micah Richards, sources close to the club have told ESPN FC.
Richards, 28, has found himself out of favour at Villa this season following their relegation to the Championship and the defender's only game this season was in the humiliating 3-1 defeat to League Two Luton Town in the EFL Cup.
Villa are willing to let Richards move on in a bid to try and slash their wage bill, while they have already brought in James Chester and Tommy Elphick this summer to boost their defensive options.
West Ham have been keen to find a solution for their problematic right-back role. Michail Antonio, who was given his first England call-up this week, has been forced to play there on several occasions this season, despite being a winger, with Richards seen as an experienced option.
