West Ham United are set to win the race to sign Ryan Fredericks this summer, according to The Daily Mail.

Fredericks is out of contract at Fulham this summer and is said to be considering his options despite winning promotion with the Cottagers.

The 25-year-old was part of the Fulham team that beat Aston Villa 1-0 at Wembley to return to the Premier League and he was considering remaining at Craven Cottage.

But now he looks set to move to West Ham instead and become Manuel Pellegrini's first signing of the summer transfer window.

The former Tottenham Hotspur academy product has enjoyed his best season to date, helping Fulham win promotion and earning a spot in the EFL Championship Team of the Year.

West Ham have been watching him since November after being alerted to his contract situation and the East London outfit are confident of landing him despite Fulham offering fresh and improved terms.

The soon-to-be free agent is a man in-demand this summer with Newcastle United and Crystal Palace also said to be keen while Premier League giants Arsenal have been linked with a swoop too.

But it looks like the Hammers are set to beat off the competition and land the former England under-19 international on a free transfer this summer.

The Verdict

On a free transfer, this is ridiculously good business for the Irons.

Fredericks will spend his first season at the club alternating with veteran Pablo Zabaleta in the right-back role and he will learn so much from the Argentine.

The Fulham defender offers pace, attacking threat, defensive solidity and his best years are still ahead of him - Fulham will be gutted to lose him.

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