West Ham target deadline-busting Koni De Winter transfer as £12m+ update emerges
West Ham have joined the race to sign Genoa centre-back Koni De Winter before the 3 February deadline, according to Mondo Udinese.
The Italian source reports [1 January] that the Hammers are joined by AS Roma and, in the last few hours, AC Milan in the race for the 22-year-old’s signature.
It is understood that, with Genoa having zero intention of splitting up their current squad, any request to sign the defender could be met with a £12.5million price tag (€15million).
Graham Potter to secure new West Ham defender?
With Jarrod Bowen closing in on a return from injury, there are two main positions which need addressing before the winter transfer window slams shut on 3 February.
Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug’s injuries have left Potter in desperate need of a new striker, though the wingers within the squad mean that goals have not stopped flowing at the London Stadium.
At the other end of the pitch, however, goals have been conceded far too easily, with only four other teams in the Premier League conceding more than the Hammers this term.
While Jean-Clair Todibo is a talented player, Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos have been trusted as the main centre-back partnership in recent weeks, but the team have won just one of their last six games.
Three senior centre-backs are not enough for an entire Premier League campaign, a problem which clearly troubled Julen Loeptegui, though Kaelan Casey’s promotion has helped ease that issue.
Another first-team defensive signing before the window closes could be integral to the Hammers experiencing a successful second half of the campaign.
With experience across the Serie A, including Juventus, Empoli and Genoa, and a first cap for the Belgium national team last year, he could be the answer to Potter’s current problems.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have made a last-gasp sale decision on Mohammed Kudus.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.