Reports in Italy suggest West Ham United are close to the signing of Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour.

Sky Italia claim the Hammers have launched an offer of around £13 million, whilst the Ligue 1 side are holding out to a figure closer to £15 million.

The 25-year-old Tunisian centre-back made 24 appearances for Monaco in the French top flight last term, after initially moving on loan from Toulouse.

Should Abdennour join the Hammers, they will have beaten off competition from the likes of Internazionale, Roma and Napoli in landing the 6ft 2in defender.