Southampton have joined a pair of Premier League rivals in the race for central defender Arturo Mina.
The 25-year-old Ecuador international, who impressed at this summer's Copa America in the USA, is already a target for West Ham United and Everton but it is believed that the Saints are also showing significant interest.
New manager Claude Puel wants to strengthen his defensive stocks for this season's Europa League campaign and reportedly sees Mina as a solid option to the current first choice centre-back duo of Jose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk.
Southampton will have to do battle with former manager Ronald Koeman, who is on the hunt for a possible replacement for Manchester City target John Stones, while West Ham are eyeing reinforcements having sold James Tomkins to Crystal Palace.
Mina has been with Ecuadorian club Independiente DV since 2013 and has been capped by Ecuador in 11 occasions, including all four of their matches at Copa America.
