West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed that the club are in advanced talks to sign Shakhtar Donetsk full-back Razvan Rat.
Rat is free to talk with the Hammers after his contract with the Ukrainian champions expired at the end of the current campaign.
Allardyce has revealed that discussions are at an advanced stage and the club are confident of making the Romanian international their first summer signing.
He told Sky Sports News: "I think at the moment it is talking terms and conditions and if we get through that then hopefully it's a chance of a medical and then see where we go from there.
"He has played in the Champions League this year, if everything goes to plan we get a player that has played at the highest level for his country and for Shaktar Donetsk at the moment.
"His experience and talents from abroad bringing them into the Premier League would be a great asset for us if we can sort it out."
The 31-year-old has spent 10 seasons with Shakhtar and also played 82 times for his country.
