West Ham have opened talks with Inter Milan over a loan-to-buy deal for Davide Santon, according to Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
The report claims West Ham have offered a loan fee of £460k for the full-back, who can play on the left and right of defence with an obligation to purchase the Italian for £5m next summer.
The 25-year-old spent four years in the Premier League with Newcastle between 2011 and 2015 and is seen by Slaven Bilic as the perfect utility full-back to help strengthen the weakest area in the Hammers’ squad.
Aaron Cresswell’s pre-season injury has led to Bilic scrambling the market for a back-up left-back, and has been forced to play right-back Sam Byram there for the short-term.
The Hammers looked precarious on both sides of defence in their Europa League 3rd Qualifying 1st leg defeat to NK Domzale last Thursday, where Michail Antonio played right-back and Byram struggled on the left.
It is believed Bilic is desperate to rectify his defensive issues before the Hammers’ opening day Premier League fixture against Chelsea in 10 days time.
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