West Ham United are leading the race to sign Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe on a loan-to-buy deal this summer, according to 90 Min.
The Hammers are in need of defensive reinforcements, with the full-back positions certainly lacking strength in depth after the summer departures of Pablo Zabaleta and Jeremy Ngakia.
West Ham opted to play a three-man defence against Arsenal on Saturday and field wing-backs, but again in this formation there are limited options in the wide positions for David Moyes to select from.
The latest report suggests that Monaco are willing to offload Sidibe, who spent last season on loan at Everton, with the Hammers leading the chase for his signature but Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers both also interested.
It states that the French side want to loan the France international out but would include a condition that the club he moves to must buy him next summer.
West Ham have fielded Ryan Fredericks at right-back in the first two Premier League games and have young rising star Ben Johnson as an alternative.
However, signing someone with experience and quality like Sidibe would increase competition for places and bring a sense of optimism to the supporters again.
West Ham were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal on Saturday, with a midweek cup clash against Hull City up next for the Hammers.