West Ham United work permit update emerges as they seek loan-to-buy deal for Bayer Leverkusen ace Odilon Kossounou
West Ham are set to renew their interest in signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou in the summer transfer window, according to a report from The Sun.
The Hammers made an effort to sign the 22-year-old on loan in January, but they failed in their approach to bringing him to the London Stadium.
However, David Moyes hasn’t given up on him as yet. He is valued at around £25m but will want to get that fee down. They could even look for a loan-to-buy deal.
Alan Nixon shares that there won’t be work permit problems for Kossounou, while the Hammers should not have any problems meeting his wage demands.
Defence
The defence is one area that needs bolstering in the summer transfer window.
The Hammers are expected to let Angelo Ogbonna leave the club after his contract expires at the end of the season.
Kurt Zouma has struggled with his fitness while Thilo Kehrer is yet to show his true quality to the side. Put simply, the club need one more defender to their ranks in the summer.
The next summer is going to be massive for the Hammers. Club skipper, Declan Rice is almost certain to depart, and the Hammers expect to collect a club-record fee from his sale.
The 22-year-old defender has managed only eight starts in the Bundesliga this season, and a further seven appearances have come from the bench. He has made five appearances in the Champions League as well.
He was seen as one of the most wanted defenders around when he moved to Germany a few years back, but he hasn’t been able to make a big impact in Germany.