West Ham move for Arsenal FLOP after Maguire twist
West Ham are turning their attention to Konstantinos Mavropanos after their Harry Maguire transfer collapsed, according to reports.
The Hammers appeared to be closing in on a deal to sign the former Manchester United captain, but the move stalled and ultimately fell through. Though signing him remains a possibility, West Ham are actively looking at alternatives.
One of them is apparently Konstantinos Mavropanos, according to the West Ham Way and since confirmed by Fabrizio Romano. The latter is reporting that talks between the London club and Stuttgart are already in full swing.
READ: ANOTHER Man Utd transfer COLLAPSES after Maguire to West Ham
If completed, the deal would mark the Greek international's return to the Premier League, something he is said to be keen on.
Oh dear, oh dear 🙈
Mavropanos accidentally nets the own goal scored from the furthest distance in #DFBPokal history 😱#SCPVfB pic.twitter.com/Wy6OqyirQn— The DFB-Pokal (@DFBPokal_EN) January 31, 2023
Mavropanos' career
The central defender was snapped up by Arsenal as a youngster after impressing at PAS Giannina. His time in north London did not go to plan, however.
He spent four years on the Gunners' books but only managed to make seven senior appearances, spending most of his time out on loan, initially with Nuremberg and then with Stuttgart. It was the latter, who eventually signed him permanently last year.
In the Bundesliga, Mavropanos has developed into a leader and, when he's on form, a very solid defender. The biggest issue with him, however, is that he rarely finds this form, and when he does, he is invariably stopped in his tracks by injuries.
READ: Chelsea target makes SURPRISE West Ham transfer U-turn
The 25-year-old would be relatively affordable and could be worth a punt, but there is an obvious risk attached to signing him. West Ham may just be desperate enough to pull it off, having only signed two players thus far.
Edson Alvarez has arrived from Ajax, while James Ward-Prowse joined from Southampton, but David Moyes' efforts to bring Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay to east London have thus far proved as fruitless as trying to sign Harry Maguire.