West Ham prepare bid for Newcastle defender

West Ham are poised to make a £3m bid for Newcastle defender Steven Taylor.

Taylor, 24, has been put on the transfer list after failing to agree a new contract with the north east club.

Avram Grant is keen to bring in a commanding central defender before the transfer window closes as his team have conceded six goals in their opening two league games.

With uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of captain Matthew Upson, Grant does not want to risk having an inexperienced back four if the England defender moves before the end of the season and feels Taylor could be the ideal replacement.

The only stumbling block for West Ham is that Taylor will miss the first three months of the season with a shoulder injury, but Grant is willing to take a gamble on his fitness.