- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that West Ham United have spoken to RB Salzburg about a potential defensive signing from the Austrian side.
West Ham United have been busy in the summer transfer market with the £40 million capture of Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back Max Kilman.
As well as this, the Hammers have also signed promising midfielder Luis Guilherme, despite it looking like West Ham were going to pull out of the deal for the Brazilian teenager from Palmeiras.
The Hammers were keen on OGC Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo but he is understood to have made it clear to the club that his preference is a move to Juventus.
Despite agreeing terms with Juventus, the Italian club are yet to agree a deal with Nice for the signing of the former Barcelona defender.
As for the Hammers, it appears they have another target in mind for the centre-back role.
West Ham speak to Leipzig over Oumar Solet deal
Sources have told HITC that West Ham have spoken to Austrian Bundesliga side RB Salzburg over a potential deal for another Frenchman in Oumar Solet.
HITC can confirm that West Ham supremo Tim Steidten sees Solet as a genuine option to come in a centre-half after their failure to land Todibo.
HITC is told that Steidten has been asked by head coach Julen Lopetegui to find a partner for the club’s new signing Kilman.
However, despite there being interest from the Hammers in Solet, they have yet to make an offer for the defender, unlike Spanish side Villarreal who have formalised their interest with a bid.
West Ham’s defensive plans this summer
it now remains to be seen if they will make an offer like Villarreal – who are trying to seal a deal that overall would be worth £8million for the defender.
West Ham are trying to re-work their options in central defence and have informed Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma that they can both move on from the club this summer.
Sources have told HITC that the club are also open to offers for Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos and there has been some interest in him.
As for Solet, the Frenchman made 21 appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga and is just 24 years of age so has room for development.
Solet was labelled ‘very good’ by journalist Zach Lowy after a standout performance in the Champions League and has admitted his favourite defender was Thiago Silva.
Like the Brazilian defender, a move to the Premier League could be on the cards for Solet.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
