Southampton are keen to rapidly finalise the signing of Tottenham Hotspur loanee Kyle Walker-Peters as West Ham threaten to rival the Saints for the full-back's signature.
Walker-Peters has been on loan at Southampton since January. The 23-year-old right-back was dropped to the bench after starting the first three games of Tottenham's season, until moving to St Mary's at the turn of the year.
Saints manager Ralph Hasenhüttl has turned to Walker-Peters since football returned from its three-month, coronavirus-induced hiatus. The England Under-21 international has featured in each of Southampton's nine games following the restart as the south coast side collected 18 points, losing just one match in a spirited end of the season.
Understandably, Southampton are keen to make Walker-Peters' loan deal permanent, although they do face competition late in the day from fellow Premier League side West Ham according to the Sunday Mirror (via HITC).
Hammers boss David Moyes is thought to be a fan of the 23-year-old full-back - who is valued in the region of £12m - and is poised to swoop in for Walker-Peters if the finances for such a move are made available.
Incidentally, Southampton have also been linked with West Ham right-back Ryan Fredericks as the club explore their options in search of a replacement for Cédric Soares after the Portugal international signed a long-term permanent deal with Arsenal in the summer.
Even if Fredericks stays in east London, West Ham are in need of reinforcements on the right side of defence after Pablo Zabaleta left the club this summer and youngster Jeremy Ngakia allowed his contract to expire. Although, the impressive performances of 20-year-old Ben Johnson may have somewhat allayed fears of a complete lack of depth.
Southampton finished five places and 11 points higher than West Ham this season after both sides flirted with the drop, but ultimately concluded the season's addendum strongly.
Source : 90min