Stoke, Fulham and Udinese battle it out for Saint Etienne star

Stoke City and Fulham are locked in a three-way battle with Serie A side Udinese to sign Saint-Etienne left-back Faouzi Ghoulam.

The 21-year-old, who came through the ranks at Saint-Etienne, has racked up 59 league appearances since making his senior debut back in 2010.

His displays saw him rewarded with call-ups for France's Under-21 squad, but he recently announced his intention to feature for Algeria, the country of his parents, at the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghoulam, who is valued at £2.2m, is rated as one of the best young talents in Ligue 1 and could make the move to the Premier League later this month.

West Ham have also been linked with the defender in recent weeks.