West Ham United have reportedly failed in their attempts to sign Aston Villa defender Micah Richards on loan.
The 28-year-old joined Villa from Manchester City in the summer of 2015, but could not prevent the club from dropping into the Championship after finishing bottom of the Premier League table last season.
According to the Daily Mail, West Ham made an approach to sign the experienced centre-back on loan for the remainder of the 2016-17 campaign, but Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo blocked the move.
An England international of 13 caps, Richards came through the youth system at Man City before making 245 appearances for the Citizens, winning one Premier League title and one FA Cup in the process.
Jack Sullivan, the son of West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan, tweeted on Wednesday morning that "maybe one player" would arrive at the Olympic Stadium on transfer deadline day.
Matt Law
