West Ham United are in advanced talks to sign Southampton’s José Fonte, although Slaven Bilic may have to beat off competition from clubs including West Bromwich Albion to secure the defender.

There has been contact between West Ham and Southampton although it is understood that Fonte, 33, is yet to discuss a move to the London Stadium.

Ronald Koeman, who coached Fonte at Southampton, is also an admirer of the player but it is understood Everton will not move for him owing to the centre‑back’s age. Fonte, who could command as much as £12m, has 18 months left on his contract.

He was again left out of Southampton’s squad for the 1-0 victory in their FA Cup third-round replay against Norwich City on Wednesday. Claude Puel admitted the Portugal international was weighing up “opportunities” to leave the club he joined in 2010 from Crystal Palace.

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Fonte, whose last appearance came in a 3-0 defeat at Everton on 2 January, has submitted a transfer request and will be allowed to leave in this transfer window. He has made 19 appearances this season but did not feature in any of Southampton’s six Europa League matches, much to his frustration. “I think he has some opportunities, he studies his opportunities and for Southampton it is the same,” Puel said of Fonte on Wednesday. “We will see if José leaves or no, we will see over the next few days.”

Fonte continues to train with the Southampton first team but his manager admits the speculation surrounding his future has been a distraction. “The situation of José is difficult for the squad and difficult for him also,” Puel said. “It’s not just about this window, I think since the beginning of the season it’s been difficult for José. He is training, working normally with a good spirit and like a professional.”

Bilic is keen to bolster his defensive options with Angelo Ogbonna, Winston Reid and James Collins his only recognised central defenders. West Ham remain keen on the Brentford striker Scott Hogan, as well as Hull City’s Robert Snodgrass having had an offer worth up to £7.5m for him rejected last week.

“We are not talking transfers but working on transfers,” Bilic said on Thursday. “It does not help us to talk about them and I will not talk about names.”

Southampton have already made a move to replace Fonte but a bid to take Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho on loan was rejected. Liverpool want to sell the France centre-back. Sevilla, Swansea and Crystal Palace were also believed to be looking at Sakho but none have followed up their initial interest.

He is no longer considered part of Liverpool’s first-team squad after being sent home from the club’s pre-season training camp in California because Jürgen Klopp was unhappy with his attitude. Sakho trained with and played for the club’s under-23 side for the first half of the season but since the transfer window opened he has not featured as Liverpool want to minimise the chances of injuries jeopardising a move.