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Report: West Brom lead race for Italy defender after Huddersfield snub

Tony Pulis celebrates (Reuters)
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West Brom are the favourites to sign Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia after he turns down Huddersfield.

West Bromwich Albion appear to be the favourites to sign Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia this summer, according to Italian publication Tutto Mercato Web.

The report says that while Genoa are also interested in the 29-year-old, Ranocchia favours a move back to the Premier League – after spending the second half of last season on loan at Hull City.

Hull City's Andrea Ranocchia celebrates scoring their second goalHull City’s Andrea Ranocchia celebrates scoring their second goal

Huddersfield Town were also in the race, but the Italy international has apparently rejected a move to the newly promoted club, making the Baggies the standout candidates.

Ranocchia has a contract with Inter that runs until 2019, but Football Italia reports that the centre-back has been told he is not part of manager Luciano Spalletti’s plans.

West Brom boss Tony Pulis is on the hunt for a new central defender following the departure of long-term servant, Jonas Olsson, at the end of last term.

The Birmingham Mail claims that the West Midlands side were considering a bid in the region of £5m for Ranocchia – who played 16 times for Hull in 2016/17 and also has 21 caps for Italy.

Tony Pulis celebratesTony Pulis celebrates