West Ham are interested in a deal to sign Juventus defender Koni De Winter, according to Tutto Juve.

The Hammers have been linked with a number of defenders ahead of the January transfer window.

De Winter is currently on loan at Empoli in Serie A and has played eight times for the club this season.

Parent club Juventus are said to rate De Winter highly but the amount of interest in him could see them cash in.

The Hammers are said to be interested in a deal, as are fellow Premier League clubs Southampton and Crystal Palace.

German sides Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach are also said to be eyeing De Winter, although Juventus would rather not sell him.

He is valued at between £15m and £20m by the Italian club, who have dominated Serie A in recent years, so it remains to be seen if the interest is followed up on in the January transfer window.