West Ham have reportedly made their opening offer to sign Marlon Santos from Barcelona this summer.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, the Hammers have grown increasingly keen to land the defender ahead of next season and have lodged a bid worth £13 million.
Marlon spent last season on loan in Ligue 1, playing under Lucien Favre at OGC Nice. After failing to make an impression at Barcelona, the defender was a standout player for Nice and has attracted the interest of West Ham, it seems.
The Hammers are stepping up their preparations for next season and defensive targets have been identified. Genoa’s Armando Izzo has been linked with a move and a bid has seemingly been submitted already for Marlon.
It’s stated by the Daily Mail that West Ham’s scouts have encouraged the move for the Brazilian defender following their observation of a string of good performances in Ligue 1.
A €20m offer has already been submitted to Barcelona for Marlon’s services, according to Nice’s president Jean-Pierre Rivere, but it is not yet known if this is from West Ham or another potential suitor.
