Nayef Aguerd is set to undergo a medical at West Ham as David Moyes closes in on his first signing of the summer.
The Rennes defender had been away on international duty with Morocco over the past fortnight but has now travelled to London and could even be formally unveiled as a West Ham player by the end of the week.
It is understood the Hammers will pay an initial fee of more than £20million, which could rise significantly if add-on clauses are met.
Moyes has made signing a left-footed centre-back a priority this summer as he looks to prepare his squad for a second successive season of European football and will listen to offers for Issa Diop once the signing of Aguerd has been confirmed.
Discussions are ongoing, meanwhile, with Alphonse Areola as Moyes looks to make the goalkeeper’s move from Paris Saint-Germain permanent after a successful loan spell.
The Hammers have an option to buy included in the deal that saw the 29-year-old spend last season at the London Stadium, where he was a regular in their run to the Europa League semi-finals, but still have to agree personal terms, with the former Real Madrid man reported to have been earning £120,000-per-week at PSG.
Areola has also been away on international duty, with France, but West Ham are keen to accelerate talks now the season has finally concluded, amid suggestions of rival interest from Newcastle.
