WEST Ham are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Saints skipper Jose Fonte for £8m, according to Sky Sports.

The 33-year-old, whose current Saints contract runs out in the summer of 2018, handed in a formal transfer request a few weeks ago.

He has not played for Saints since a 3-0 loss at Everton on January 2.

Hammers boss Slaven Bilic yesterdat denied claims the Portugal international has already had a medical.

"Not a medical," he added. "Look, I said a few times already I'm not going to talk about names.

"We are not looking for big numbers as I have strong belief in our qualities now in the dressing room, but we need one or two players.

"Are any deals close? Close is very relative in football. Many times something that looks close doesn't happen. And sometimes something that looks distant suddenly happens. But in 24 hours, hopefully."