Celtic are pursuing Alaves centre-back Guillermo Maripan, according to Redgol.cl.

The Chilean website reports that West Ham are the favourites to clinch a deal for the 25-year-old but the Hoops have also registered their interest in the player.

Maripan has a release clause of €25m (£22m) but they are likely to sell for a lot less than that with the Hammers reportedly only prepared to pay in the region of £10m.

Even those sort of numbers would probably prove too steep for Celtic, but the Scottish champions will need to shell out some cash in order to reinforce the centre of defence.

With Dedryck Boyata leaving for Hertha Berlin and Filip Benkovic returning to Leicester, a new centre-half will be needed.

Maripan is a Chilean international and has spent the last two years in Spain, helping to establish Alaves in the top flight of Spanish football. This campaign, the La Liga club finished 11th, conceding 50 goals in 38 games.