West Ham United interested in Anderlecht defender Cheikhou Kouyate

Anderlecht have confirmed that West Ham United are interested in signing defender Cheikhou Kouyate.

The 24-year-old, who is under contract until 2016, won the Belgian title with Anderlecht last season.

While Sevilla and Valencia are among a handful of clubs who are monitoring the Senegal international, the club's sporting director Herman van Holsbeeck has revealed that the Hammers are also in the race to sign the centre-back.

"We have had talks with Sevilla, Valencia and Salzburg, and West Ham have contacted us," he told Estadio Deportivo.

"We want to make the best possible decision and sell from the most profitable aspect for us, although we take into account the opinion of the player."

Kouyate joined Anderlecht from FC Brussels in 2008.