West Ham United are interested in signing Strasbourg centre-half Mohamed Simakan and are willing to pay the rising star’s €15 million (£13.6 million) asking fee, according to Transfer 20.
The Hammers have been linked with countless new central defenders in recent weeks, as the East London club leave it late in the transfer window to reinforce their options at the back.
West Ham only have Fabian Balbuena, Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop as senior options at centre-half and David Moyes has admitted he needs more strength in depth in this crucial position.
The latest report suggests the Hammers are in a battle with Spanish side Real Sociedad for Simakan’s acquisition, with the 20-year-old impressing for Strasbourg in Ligue 1 since breaking into the first team.
It would not be the first time West Ham have looked to sign first-team players from France, with the capture of Drop from Toulouse in the summer of 2018 a similar deal to the one being touted for Simakan.
The Hammers looked good in the defeat to Arsenal and win over Wolves in the Premier League recently, with the switch to a back three making the side a more rounded and dangerous proposition.
However, if West Ham are to persist with this formation, Moyes needs more options at centre-half before the transfer window closes on Monday night.