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Seemingly constantly on the lookout for a new centre-back, West Ham are already making moves in the transfer market, if Foot Mercato in France are to be believed.

The French website claim on Monday that the Hammers have already held telephone conversations with the entourage of Sunderland defender Lamine Koné.

The 28-year-old defender fits the profile Slaven Bilic is looking for to bolster his defence at the London Stadium, and with Crystal Palace also said to have held talks, the Croatian manager might need to move fast to get his man.

With Sunderland already relegated to the Championship, and the defender one of the likely departures in the summer, a reduced fee could be negotiated, even if the Black Cats are likely to ask for a considerable amount with four years left on their star’s contract.

Making 28 appearances and scoring one goal in the league this season, Koné renewed his deal at the Stadium of Light in September after a deal to take him to Goodison Park fell through.

However, still considered a good, solid defender by a lot of Premier League clubs, including West Ham, it seems his future lies somewhere other than on Wearside.