West Ham are chasing Kone to strengthen Julen Lopetegui’s squad and Watford are ready to sell the midfielder.
The Hammers appear to have lost Kone as Marseille now have a £15m deal to take him to the Stade Vélodrome.
Kone is very excited about going to Marseille and is said to have chosen the French team because he wanted to play for De Zerbi.
De Zerbi only recently took the Marseille job after leaving Brighton and his value as a manager remains high.
Kone was a regular in Watford’s Championship squad last season and caught the eye.
The 22-year-old Canadian international is currently competing in the Copa America and it remains to be seen when Marseille will give him a medical.
Kone has three years left on his contract with Watford, but this deal will bring an influx of cash into the Hornets’ coffers.
