West Ham to announce Konstantinos Mavropanos in next 24 hours, player to sign long-term contract – Sky Sports
West Ham could announce the signature of Konstantinos Mavropanos from Stuttgart in the next 24 hours, according to Sky Sports.
The publication reported on its website on Tuesday (22 August) that the Hammers have a broad agreement with all aspects of the player’s contract.
The 25-year-old made 89 appearances for the German club, having joined them from West Ham’s London rivals Arsenal.
“West Ham have a broad agreement with all aspects of Konstantinos Mavropanos’ contract and a formal announcement of his signing could come in the next 24 hours,” according to Sky Sports.
“The ex-Arsenal defender will sign a long-term deal. West Ham will pay Stuttgart an initial £17m plus £2m in performance-related add-ons for the 25-year-old.”
Defensive reinforcements
West Ham have clearly been in the market for a new central defender this summer, turning to former Arsenal man Mavropanos after their failed pursuit of Manchester United’s Harry Maguire.
The latter will no doubt be in for further time on the bench at Old Trafford, but that shouldn’t be the case for the former at the London Stadium.
Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd have been the preferred central defensive pairing for Hammers boss David Moyes so far this season, with the duo starting against both Bournemouth and Chelsea.
But Mavropanos’ arrival looks set to have come at the perfect time following Aguerd’s red card against the Blues on Sunday (20 August).
Veteran defender Angelo Ogbonna was brought on to help the East London club get through the last 20 minutes of the match, but Mavropanos could be thrown right in at the deep end with a start against Brighton on Saturday (26 August).
In other West Ham news, the Hammers want to sign a Serie A striker as a replacement for Gianluca Scamacca, who left to join Atalanta earlier this summer.