Gianfranco Zola has opened the door for a possible January move for Sol Campbell.
Hammers manager Zola is an admirer of the former England centre-back and believes Campbell has still got what it takes to be a success in the Premier League.
The ex-Spurs and Arsenal defender is currently without a club following his shock decision to quit Notts County after just one game with the League Two outfit.
Campbell's contract with County has been cancelled — but he is still unable to join another club until the January window opens.
And Zola admits he would be interested in making a move for the 35-year-old if he felt his current youthful squad needed the presence of an older head in the new year.
The manager said: "He was a good player, he still is a good player. He's got experience and everything needed to be a good footballer.
"It's just down to him. With him it's personal and down to his desire whether he wants to be a top player. But other than that he has got everything.
"So if I was in the need of an experienced player, I would be thinking about him."
Zola currently is well supplied with centre-backs despite the recent departure of James Collins to Aston Villa.
Danny Gabbidon and James Tomkins are battling for the spot alongside skipper Matthew Upson — but Upson's future has repeatedly been thrown into doubt, most recently when Fiorentina expressed interest in the England man.
It would also appear that Upson would have to leave before Campbell could join after it emerged that two of the club's employees had to help to fund the transfer of Mexican striker Guillermo Franco out of their own pockets.
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Chief executive Scott Duxbury and technical director Gianluca Nani made the gesture after the deal appeared close to collapsing last week.
Despite Franco, 32, having been signed on a free transfer, the move hit a sticking point over a number of payments to both the player and agent. Duxbury and Nani agreed to take a hit on their annual salary to ensure the player would join.
Despite having since been taken over by CB Holdings, funds remain tight for Zola.
The Hammers were forced to bring forward a payment from sponsors SBOBET earlier this month to secure the signings of Italian playmaker Alessandro Diamanti and defender Manuel da Costa.
