West Ham have joined the battle for Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia.

Inter chief Piero Ausilio has confirmed this week that offers for Ranocchia from the Premier League are now being fielded.

Ranocchia has been linked with Crystal Palace and Watford, but West Ham have now jumped into the race.

Indeed, Tuttosport says the Hammers have launched intense negotiations for the defender with the view to signing the Italian by the weekend.

Just this week, Irons co-chairman David Sullivan admitted they were finding the January market "tough going".