West Ham United are thinking about a move for Preston North End goalkeeper Declan Rudd as an alternative to Darren Randolph, Football Insider understands. The move for Randolph of West Ham is as a result of fears over the fitness of the Middlesbrough keeper and the Hammers are currently drawing up a list of possible goals if the Randolph deal falls through. A source at West Ham advised Football Insider that Preston keeper Rudd features highly on West Ham’s list of targets following enjoying an impressive year so far and because of his contract position at Deepdale. The goalkeeper is in the final six months of his contract in Preston and West Ham know this month, that they could land the former Norwich man for a relative bargain. The Championship side are keen to keep hold of Rudd, but their work to hang onto the player with a bid of 750,000 could be tested by West Ham. Preston would be reluctant to eliminate Rudd on a free transfer if they don’t tie him down and they are forced to cash-in on him during this month’s transfer window. The keeper continues to be an ever-present for Preston from the Championship this term and has been among their top performers. Rudd has surrendered 33 goals in his 26 league outings and has managed to stand up five sheets so much this season. West Ham is desperate to bring a brand new goalkeeper after Lukasz Fabianski continued another injury in Friday’s defeat while his replacement Dave Martin made a mistake to the only goal in the game at Bramall Lane.
