West Ham are expected to be involved in a three-club transfer battle for Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana this summer, according to Calciomercato.com.

The Italian website reports that AC Milan are very keen on signing the France international but they must “watch out for West Ham and Manchester United” who could also table bids.

Fofana is said to have made it clear that he wants to leave Monaco at the end of this season, with his club prepared to sell if their asking price is met.

Calciomercato claim a fee in the region of €30m (£25.7m) could be enough to buy the 25-year-old, with the player having just one year remaining on his contract this June.

West Ham have been linked with Fofana before

It is believed that technical director Tim Steidten held talks with Monaco about signing the Frenchman back in August.

However, manager David Moyes ultimately decided against recruiting the player, with the club going on to purchase another holding midfielder, Edson Alvarez, instead. For that reason, it is questionable whether the club still need Fofana.

A replacement for Paqueta is likely to be the main priority

Even though a move for Fofana doesn’t appear to be on the cards at the moment, the Irons may still have an eye on reinforcing their options in midfield this summer.

Reports suggest that Lucas Paqueta could be on his way out of the club if Manchester City decide to trigger the release clause in the Brazilian international’s contract.

For that reason, signing another playmaker would become the top priority. Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe and Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Goncalves have all been mentioned as possible targets in recent weeks. You would think West Ham’s transfer budget would be devoted to one of these players, rather than someone like Fofana.