Report: West Ham lodge £17m bid for Barcelona defender

Nice President Jean-Pierre Rivère announced that Barcelona have received a €20m (£17.4m) bid for Brazilian central defender Marlon, who is currently in the middle of a 2-year loan spell with Nice and the player has now returned to his parent club as part of the terms of the loan agreement.

“Barcelona have received a €20m offer for Marlon. He is therefore set to leave OGC Nice.” Rivère told a French radio station. 

The 22-year-old has interest from several English clubs with French reports this morning suggesting his mystery destination is likely to be West Ham.

Marlon, who moved to the Camp Nou from Fluminense in 2016 has made just two La Liga appearances since, faces an uncertain future at Barca. While on loan to Nice he started 22 Ligue 1 games last season as Nice finished eighth under the new Dortmund boss Lucian Favre. He is described as excellent passer of the ball who boasts impressive athleticism and speed across the ground.