Deal Close: Liverpool and West Ham risk missing out on defensive transfer target

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According to Eurosport Turkey, Fenerbahce look to have moved ahead of both Liverpool and West Ham United in the race to sign LOSC Lille defender Simon Kjaer.

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The Turkish heavyweights are believed to have agreed a €9 million fee for the Denmark international, with new Dogues boss Herve Renard having signed off on the deal.

It is believed that the agreement would include a €1 million bonus should Kjaer help Fener to win the Super Lig title next season.

The player himself is set to pick up an annual salary of €4 million, with an appearance-related bonus.

Several Premier League sides have been linked with the centre-back, who is a composed and cultured operator in the heart of the defence.

TalkSPORT have named Southampton as potential suitors for the Dane. The Saints lost Dejan Lovren to Liverpool last season and look set to lose Toby Alderweireld following the expiry of his loan deal from Atletico Madrid.

The defender may well return to the EPL, but it is not certain that his destination will be Southampton, with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea both reportedly keen on his services [International Business Times].

However, Ronald Koeman looks set to face competition from Liverpool and West Ham United, both of whom are believed to be keen on the former Wolfsburg man.

Unlike any of the trio of aforementioned Premier League sides—or his current employers Lille—Fener could offer Kjaer Champions League football, having finished second in the Turkish top flight this term.

The defender, who moved to Lille in 2013, has previously featured for Midtjylland in his homeland, Palermo and AS Roma in Italy, as well as Wolfsburg.

He managed 31 appearances for LOSC last term as Rene Girard’s side claimed eighth place in the French top flight, scoring one goal in the process.