West Ham negotiating 'final details' for transfer amid Moussa Diaby and Raphinha interest

West Ham are reportedly closing in on the signing of Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd from Ligue 1 side Rennes.

The 26-year-old left-footed centre-back would help provide competition for places in defence for David Moyes and is seen as a natural long-term replacement for Angelo Ogbonna. Aguerd made 31 starts for Rennes last season and scored two goals for the club during that time, providing a further two assists.

He also featured for Morocco - with whom he has 19 caps - at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, playing five games as his country were knocked out on penalties in the quarter-finals by eventual runners-up Egypt.

Now it seems the next chapter of Aguerd’s career could be in the Premier League with West Ham, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano suggesting that a deal to capture the defender’s signature is drawing ever closer. The journalist said: “West Ham are now getting closer to reaching a full agreement with Rennes for Nayef Aguerd, negotiations progressing. Talks are underway - final details about add-ons then the deal can be completed.”

Elsewhere, the Hammers have been linked with a sensational move for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Moussa Diaby. The 22-year-old was involved in 32 goals last season as Leverkusen qualified for the Champions League and he still has three years left to run on his current contract in Germany.

Diaby is also said to be of interest to Eddie Howe in Newcastle, though Leverkusen are currently under no pressure to let one of their star players leave the club. The French international recently addressed the speculation around his future prior in a press conference with Les Bleus. "It's nice to hear my name being linked to big clubs, but I'm focused on getting together to do good