West Ham have joined the race to sign highly-rated Freiburg centre back Robin Koch.
Tottenham, Norwich and Leeds have all sent scouts to watch the 23-year-old German international in action this season.
But the Hammers have also now asked his representatives to be kept informed of any developments.
Boss David Moyes wants to add a centre back with the club becoming heavily reliant on Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna this season.
And Koch is the right age and profile as Moyes targets younger players with potential to grow.
Freiburg turned down £17.5m for Koch from Leipzig in January but agents believe he could now be available for less with prices tumbling due to coronavirus.
The former Kaiserslautern defender, a right-footed centre back who can also play defensive midfield, is under contract until June 2021 but wants a new challenge.
Asked recently about the possibility of a summer transfer, Koch said: “No-one knows what will happen next. It is clear that I want to take the next step.”
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Freiburg sold Turkey defender Caglar Soyuncu to Leicester in a deal worth up to £19m in 2018 and were hoping for a similar fee.
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Soyuncu has gone on to be a big hit for the Foxes, and Koch is tipped to adapt just as well to life in the Premier League.
He has started every game for Freiburg in the Bundesliga this season bar one, which he missed through illness, and has two full caps for his country.