West Ham close in on defender

West Ham United are closing in on signing highly-rated Le Havre defender Etienne Kinkoue according to the Mail.

The Hammers are keen to bolster their defensive ranks as they seek to maintain their position in the Premier League top six and make a strong push in the Europa League.

Kinkoue, 22, has emerged as a promising young talent with a proven track record of success. His impressive performances at Inter Milan’s youth setup, where he even trained with the first team under Antonio Conte, caught the attention of European scouts.

After a brief stint at Olympiacos B, Kinkoue’s talents were further showcased in Ligue 1 with Le Havre, where he played a key role in their promotion to the French top flight last season.

West Ham’s interest in Kinkoue is not surprising. His versatility and ability to play as both a centre back and right-back make him an attractive proposition for Moyes‘ side. His aerial prowess, composure on the ball, and strong tackling ability are further attributes that have caught the eye of the Hammers coaching staff.

However, West Ham are not the only club vying for Kinkoue’s signature. Eintracht Frankfurt and Red Bull Salzburg are also reportedly interested in the young defender, making the race for his services all the more intense.

With the transfer window closing on Thursday, West Ham are reportedly “pushing hard” to secure a deal for Kinkoue. Moyes believes that the addition of the French defender would significantly strengthen his squad and enhance their chances of achieving their goals this season.

The potential signing of Kinkoue would mark another significant step in West Ham’s ambitious plans for the future. The Hammers are clearly determined to build a team capable of challenging for trophies both domestically and in Europe, and the addition of a player of Kinkoue’s calibre would undoubtedly be a step in the right direction.