According to Italian media outlet Corriere dello Sport, Everton and West Ham United are both in the race to sign Sassuolo centre-back Gian Marco Ferrari, rated at £9m by Transfermarkt, and the 26-year-old defensive colossus should choose to join the Irons over the Toffees.

What's the word, then?

Sampdoria’s Gian Marco Ferrari celebrates scoring against Juventus

Well, Corriere dello Sport report that both of the Premier League clubs want to bring the Italian to England, and it is no surprise given that the two teams need to strengthen at the heart of their defences.

The Merseyside club need to find a partner for Michael Keane with Ramiro Funes Mori already leaving, and the futures of Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka potentially in doubt seeing as they are getting no younger.

Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini has already bought Issa Diop from Toulouse to strengthen the joint-worst backline in the top flight last term, but the Chilean is unlikely to be finished at just one considering the east London outfit have lost both Jose Fonte and James Collins in recent months.

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Why should he choose to join West Ham over Everton?

Well, if Ferrari does come to the Premier League it would certainly make more sense for him to move to the London Stadium instead of Goodison Park.

The Italian would have the opportunity to settle in quickly and form a strong relationship at the heart of the defence alongside compatriot Angelo Ogbonna, and that could be crucial to hitting the ground running in a completely new country with the Irons, who could be set to make a superstar signing they need.

Given he could be available for less than £10m, he would certainly fit into West Ham's budget too given they are looking to spend big elsewhere – as we have seen with their attempts to sign Lazio's Felipe Anderson.

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