WEST HAM are preparing to announce the signing of Stuttgart defender Konstantinos Mavropanos.
SunSport understands that claims the player has ‘failed’ his medical are unsupported, although there remain minor contractual details to be signed off.
Mavropanos was present at the club’s 3-1 win over Chelsea at the London Stadium on Sunday, alongside technical director Tim Steidten.
The Hammers are also working on a second bid for Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus – having had an initial approach rejected last week.
Mavropanos will cost the Irons £17m with boss David Moyes wanting to bolster his defence and provide competition for first-choice centre backs Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd.
Mavropanos is set to become West Ham’s third capture of the summer, alongside Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse, taking the total spending to around £82m.
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Moyes wanted to bring Manchester United’s Harry Maguire to the club after having a £30m bid accepted, but wage and pay-off demands ultimately scuppered the deal.
West Ham have now turned to Greek international and former Arsenal central defender Mavropanos, 25, to fill that gap.
Signed by Arsene Wenger, he made just eight appearances for the Gunners from 2017 to 2022 until signing permanently for Stuttgart.
Steidten is also still working on landing Kudus, having flew to Holland early last week for face-to-face talks with Ajax.
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Ajax are demanding around £44m for the versatile Ghana international, while West Ham are reluctant to bid more than £40m including add-ons.
Kudus is under contract at Ajax until 2025 but rejected a one-year extension in April.
West Ham were keen on signing Rennes winger Jeremy Doku, submitting a bid of around £28m, but are set to be outbid by Manchester City.
Elsewhere, Irons midfielder Flynn Downes has joined Southampton on a season-long loan in the search for regular first team football.
Downes, 24, joined last summer and made 35 appearances in all competitions.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
