West Ham Close to Signing Highly Rated Defender to Round Off Huge Summer Spending Spree

West Hamare on the brink of completing a deal from Le Havre centre backHarold Moukoudi which could take their spending this summer over £100m, according to reports.

The 20-year-old defender is one of the most highly rated players in Ligue 2 following a breakout season last year, where he scored four goals and claimed one assist in 37 appearances. 

Moukoudi has already made one appearance this season during Le Havre's stalemate against Lorient, but the youngster was left out of their most recent squad that faced Grenoble, likely because of his expected move away from the Stade Océane this summer.

Sky Sportsclaim that West Ham have already reached an agreement with Le Havre over the move, with Moukoudi expected to cost an initial £10.7m despite having just one year left on his contract.

The youngster will have the chance to develop alongside his compatriot Issa Diop next season following his arrival from Toulouse earlier this summer, and Moukoudi will become the club's ninth signing of the summer.

Journalist Kaveh Solhekolclaimed that Moukoudi's arrival would take their summer spending over £100m - even including the signing of Xande Silva, who is expected to spend most of his time with the club's Under-23 side.

However, the Hammers' spending will still be just off the £100m mark through initial fees, as any performance-based add-ons which could take the price of a player even higher can't be met until the new season starts.