---
title: "West Ham lead race to sign defender"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2016/05/31/west-ham-lead-race-to-sign-defender/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ste Hoare"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2016-05-31T18:49:20Z"
modified: "2016-05-31T18:49:20Z"
---

# West Ham lead race to sign defender

West Ham are leading the race to sign Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti, according to a report from [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/10300517/west-ham-leading-samuel-umtiti-race-sky-sources-understand).

The 22-year-old looks set to leave the Ligue 1 side this summer, and despite links in the past to Barcelona, PSG and Tottenham, it looks like the Hammers are in pole position to sign him.

Umtiti is a central defender who has been capped for France at every level from Under 17s to Under 21s.

![Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readwestham.com/readwestham/2016/05/488590530.jpg)

Despite never making an appearance for the senior French national side, Umtiti was named in Didier Deschamps’ squad for Euro 2012 as Mamadou Sakho was deemed unavailable for selection after a disputed failed drugs test and both Jeremy Mathieu and Raphael Varane were ruled out with injuries.

The Lyon man is regarded as one of Europe’s best young centre-backs and could replace James Tomkins in Slaven Bilic’s squad with the Englishman looking like he’s on his way out of the club