West Ham keen on the centre-back - Sky sources
Thursday 14 June 2018 13:19, UK
Nice have announced that defender Marlon Santos will not spend a second season on loan from Barcelona as planned, amid interest from West Ham.
The 22-year-old Brazilian had been set to spend two campaigns with the Ligue 1 club, but will not be kept on by new boss Patrick Vieira.
Sky sources understand West Ham are keen on signing the centre-back, who made 27 appearances in all competitions for Nice last season.
A statement on Nice's official website said: "In agreement with Barcelona, the Brazilian who was loaned to Nice last summer will not wear the Nice colours in 2018-19. He now returns to the Catalan club."
The Hammers are actively looking for reinforcements in defence and are understood to be close to agreeing a deal worth up to €25m (£22m) to sign Issa Diop from Toulouse, having already had a bid rejected for Swansea centre-back Alfie Mawson.
According to Sky in Italy, the club are also close to finalising a deal for Lazio midfielder Felipe Anderson, and are among a trio of Premier League clubs thought to be interested in Borussia Dortmund's Mario Gotze.
