West Ham have nudged themselves to the front of the queue in the race for in-demand Monaco defender Aymen Abdennour.
The tough-tackling, no-nonsense Tunisian centre-back has been linked with a who's who of European football this summer, with also Manchester United and Liverpool keen on his services within England.
But according to French sports daily L'Equipe, it is West Ham who have taken the lead in the chase to snap up the 25-year-old.
The Hammers have sent an offer to Monaco which is around the €20m mark.
No deal has yet been done though as the principality outfit are looking for a minimum of €25m to part with their defensive gem, who cost €10m to sign from Toulouse.
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Matters may also yet be complicated for West Ham by Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish giants have just sold Brazilian defender Miranda to Inter for €15m and are now actively assessing whether to move for Abdennour as a replacement.
Abdennour sent his stock sky-rocketing with a series of accomplished performances in last season's Champions League.
