West Ham target Brighton's Lewis Dunk to be their first transfer under new boss David Moyes - The Mirror

Club with the Premier League's worst defensive record want centre-back now earning calls for an England place

West Ham boss David Moyes wants to make Brighton star Lewis Dunk his first Hammers buy.

Centre-back Dunk has impressed during the promoted Seagulls’ solid start to life in the Premier League and Moyes believes he would improve the brittle ­backline he has inherited from the sacked Slaven Bilic.

The third-bottom Hammers have conceded a Premier League worst 23 goals after 11 games, keeping only three clean-sheets in those matches.

However, Albion would demand a huge fee to sell the 25-year-old, who only signed a new five-year contract in August.

Brighton-born, 6ft 4in Dunk has played 180 league games for his hometown club in League One, the Championship and now the top flight since his debut seven years ago.

His partnership with Republic of Ireland ace Shane Duffy has led to calls for him to be named in the England squad.