Bayer Leverkusen willing to sell Odilon Kossounou as West Ham United eye transfer
Bayer Leverkusen are prepared to sell Odilon Kossounou this summer amid links to a West Ham move, according to Stefan Bienkowski.
The Telegraph’s Bundesliga journalist reported via Twitter on 10 June that the German champions like the centre-back but will part with him for the right price as they think they can find a replacement without too much difficulty.
Manchester United and Liverpool have also both been linked to the 23-year-old defender but with the Hammers looking to make moves in defence Kossounou appears to be available.
Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side fell one victory short of completing an unbeaten season in all competitions, and a treble, as they were beaten by Atalanta in the Europa League final, but deposed Bayern Munich in the league and added the DFB Pokal.
The Irons are interested in the Ivorian international after missing out on a deal for Fabricio Bruno [The Athletic, 4 June].
Liverpool and Manchester United could be West Ham competition
Although Kossounou may be the less accomplished of the two Leverkusen defenders that the Hammers have been looking at he appears to be the more realistic target since Jonathan Tah is said to prefer a Bayern Munich move [Fabrizio Romano, 10 June].
Julen Lopetegui may only be left with Konstantinos Mavropanos from last season’s four senior centre-backs by the time the transfer window ends with Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd both potentially following Angelo Ogbonna to the exit.
So if Tim Steidten has designs on making Kossounou part of the new manager’s squad it looks like the door is open.
But it would be a tough race to win against either Liverpool or Manchester United so it might require moving quickly to get a deal done.
The Irons’ German technical director arrived at the London from the Bayer Arena a year ago so surely would have the inside track on players in the Bundesliga winners’ squad if they are willing to do business.
And in terms of Kossounou it would appear that they are, although what they consider the “right price” may be the key point.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are at the front of the queue to sign a new goalscorer and could do so for a reduced price.
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