Cristiano Piccini looks set to leave Primeira Liga outfit Sporting Lisbon with Premier League duo Manchester United and West Ham United linked.
The right-back slot became something of a problem area for West Ham United last season.
Sam Byram has never really been trusted with a prolonged run of Premier League football while Pablo Zabaleta, though still a popular figure among supporters, is past his best at the age of 33. But if West Ham get their way, right-back could be one of the strongest areas of their squad in 2018/19.
Turkish Football is claiming that Cristiano Piccini is the latest star who could be on his way out of Portuguese crisis club Sporting Lisbon, who have already lost the likes of Rui Patricio and Rafael Leao after players were reportedly attacked by masked hooligans at their own training ground earlier in the year.
And it is understood that West Ham have expressed an interest, having scouted Piccini throughout the 2017/18 season. The 25-year-old Italian started 24 games in the Primeira Liga, assisting three goals.
Turkish Football adds that Sporting would be willing to sell Piccini but only for £17.5 million. His value has skyrocketed in the last 12 months with the Lisbon giants only paying £2.6 million to sign him from Real Betis a year ago.
The report adds that Besiktas have offered to sign the attack-minded Piccini on loan while Manchester United and Inter Milan are keen, too.
Should West Ham win the race, Piccini would fight for a place at right-back with Ryan Fredericks, who arrived on a free from Fulham recently.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
