West Ham are reportedly preparing a bid for Newcastle's highly-rated England Under-21 central defender Steven Taylor.The 22-year-old is still hoping for a new deal at St James' Park but with Magpies owner Mike Ashley keen to reduce the wage bill at the club, the News of the World claims that the Hammers are ready to swoop.

West Ham chief Alan Curbishley is on the lookout for a new centre-half, with Anton Ferdinand continually linked with a move away from Upton Park and Matthew Upson, Danny Gabbidon and James Collins all injury prone.

Taylor has a year left on his current contract and is likely to cost around £5million, although Toon chief Kevin Keegan is eager to keep the defender.

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