West Ham face competition for the signature of Silkeborg defender Frederik Alves in the form of Serie A outfit Torino, as reported by Calciomercato.
The Italian media outlet reported that the Turin club are also interested in the Denmark under-21 defender, despite the Hammers seemingly clinching a deal to sign the youngster.
Last week, Silkeborg confirmed the impending departure of the 6 foot 3 centre-back on their official website, with east London cited as the likely destination.
However, now it seems David Moyes may yet face further competition in a bid to sign the 21-year-old, having already fought off Leeds United’s apparent interest.
Calciomercato claimed that Torino will ‘challenge West Ham for defender’ before naming the young Dane.
The West Ham deal was due to be worth around £1.4m and, should the move not be hijacked at the 11th hour, Alves would become an Irons player at the start of the January transfer window.
The 21-year-old has played eight times this season in the Nordicbet LIGA, the Danish second tier, although the defender was left out of their most recent matchday squad.
Having seemingly been so far down the line in terms of the transfer, it would take a substantial U-turn for the Hammers not to land their man. However, until the transfer is categorically confirmed by the Irons, anything seems possible.
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After the deadline day debacle which surrounded the eventual arrival of Said Benrahma from Brentford, Irons fans would have been excused for praying that this impending transfer would just go swimmingly.
Moyes will be hoping the deal can get across the line as the manager looks to add youth to his host of experienced defenders as well as simply adding numbers in that department, something he was desperate to do all summer.
West Ham have had recent success in picking players from less glamourous leagues – Saturday’s match-winner Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal both arrived from Slavia Prague this year to great effect, so Alves could be another clever continental coup if the Irons can fight off the reported competition for him.
