Exclusive: West Ham and Man Utd Eyeing Up Udinese's French Centre-Back Oumar Solet

A string of Premier League clubs are desperate to secure the signature of top French defender Oumar Solet, SportsBoom sources can reveal. 

The sought-after centre-back was a target for West Ham and Liverpool last summer, but now other Premier League clubs are queuing up to try and sign the Udinese ace.

Solet, 25, joined RB Salzburg in July 2020 but his deal was terminated by mutual agreement in September 2024 as the player sought a big-money move to a top club.

However, the Hammers failed to get their man – and Liverpool dropped their interest - and former France Under-20s defender joined Italian outfit Udinese on pre-contract deal in October last year to get some regular first team football.

But that deal only allowed him to start playing for the club from New Year’s Day.

He has impressed in ten games for The Friulians in Serie A, although he was sent off in only his third match for the club after racking up two yellow cards.

West Ham are understood to still be interested in signing the player, but SportsBoom has been told Manchester United and another Italian club, Inter Milan, have all made initial enquiries about trying to sign the player.

German outfit Borussia Dortmund are also understood to be a big admirer of the player.

WATCHED BY SCOUTS

Solet has been watched by numerous scouts over the last twelve months, with other clubs including Lazio, Newcastle, Brighton and Napoli have all been at Udinese games this season.

The former France youth international is valued at around £15 million, a low fee for a central defender in the current world transfer climate.

And there is a growing feeling, especially with the chance to learn from a top coach, that he can be real star for the future.

Solet is also hungry to force his way into the France national side having worked his way through the youth levels before his career stagnated slightly at Salzburg.