West Ham United are reportedly leading the chase for Le Havre’s Moukoudi but do not rule out Championship hopefuls Derby County.
Derby County are reportedly interested in a player they would more than likely have to break their transfer record for.
According to the Mail, the Rams are one of a number of clubs keen on the promising Le Havre defender Harold Moukoudi.
The 6ft 3ins centre-back is the latest highly-rated defensive talent to emerge in France, who have produced the likes of Kurt Zouma, Raphael Varane, Benjamin Pavard and Samuel Umtiti in recent years.
Moukoudi, who is just 20, has been a regular in Ligue 2 since he made his debut in 2016. And he could be on his way to England this summer.
Although Derby have their work cut out if they want to win the race. The Mail understands that Premier League sides Crystal Palace and Burnley are fans, while the former France U18 ace is in talks over a £10 million move to West Ham United.
The most Derby have ever paid for a player is £8 million for Matej Vydra, the Czech striker arriving from Reading in 2016. So they would have to break their transfer record to have any hope of hijacking West Ham’s move.
Moukoudi would give Frank Lampard a more youthful option at centre-back, with Curtis Davies and Richard Keogh both in their thirties.
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