West Ham United transfer news as Napoli stance emerges on Konstantinos Mavropanos
West Ham United defender Konstantinos Mavropanos remains a potential transfer target for Serie A giants Napoli, according to Corriere dello Sport.
The Italian newspaper reported in its print edition on Monday (4 March, page five) that the Italian champions were interested in signing the Greek centre-back in the summer before David Moyes’ side secured his signature.
Instead, Napoli signed Brazilain defender Natan who has struggled in Naples and that has left Franceso Calzona’s side in the market for a new defender this summer and Mavropanos remains of some interest as the Italian side have always appreciated him.
Will West Ham United allow Konstantinos Mavropanos to complete summer transfer exit?
While Mavropanos has had a slightly slow start to life in the Premier League, the Greek defender has finally managed to settle into a regular role in the Hammers’ backline and it seems unlikely the Irons would allow him to leave after only a season.
Napoli aren’t blessed financially so they would be unwilling to spend heavily to test Moyes’ resolve and given the lack of defensive options at the London Stadium currently. West Ham can’t let too many players leave in the summer, especially as Nayef Aguerd has been linked with an exit.
If a big bid arrived in the summer, the Irons would likely consider it, if they believed that they could acquire a better centre-back for that price, but it would have to be a massive sum to turn heads in East London.
It remains to be seen whether Napoli will even opt to act on their interest as well. Mavropanos is likely one name on a list of a number of targets that have caught the Serie A champions’ eye and they won’t have made a final decision at this stage of the season.
In other West Ham news, Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist have shared their verdict on Moyes’ position at the London Stadium
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