Hearing the news reported by Simon over the last day that Konstantinos Mavropanos is now officially ‘For Sale’, I have found myself looking into reports from various sources regarding a replacement. I am sure that Steidten and Lopetegui have a jigsaw piece in mind to complete their Claret and Blue West Ham United 2024 puzzle.
So the report in SportItalia caught my eye. This story has come to light a few times in recent days, that West Ham United were interested in bidding for 19 year old defender Nathan Zezé. Simon has tracked earlier interest but according to the Italian News Source, The Hammers have made a formal bid of €20 million to French club Nantes for his services.
Inter Milan have been tracking the teenager as well, hence the report in an Italian news publication.
Zezé is a very interesting prospect, left footed but having played at both left and right back he would make an excellent choice as cover for Kilman, Todibo and Aguerd. Another 1.90 metre towering centre back to bolster our defence and help keep a clean sheet: Most welcome especially if – as Max Kilman has done – he really can play at both the left and right side.
Now that offers are being invited for Mavropanos I cannot see the Greek staying – one commentator at Talk Sport describing him as a ‘disaster waiting to happen’ and as we’ve found, somewhat prone to the odd error. In reality, I just don’t see ‘Mav’ being up to the required standard of the squad we are assembling. Incredible, really, just 12 months ago I was pleased to see him as an Ogbonna upgrade or Craig ‘Ballon D’Awson’ replacement
The reality is that I’m not sure if this 20 million bid will suffice, as Nantes are said to want thirty. For a nineteen year old who is listed with a value of €5 million on transfermarkt. A lot depends upon the response from Inter Milan.
If correct that Mavrapanos is up for sale , should raise some concerns .
He was a Steidten buy , to suit the plan he had in mind last year .
What has happened since then and what went wrong ?
Could well be something to do with change of manager/head coach. Or maybe not of sufficient standard going forward. Even Tim can’t get them all right.
Possibly playing in a team that was inviting pressure. That can’t help many defenders confidence. Overall there will always be a percentage that don’t make the standard and the EPL is the hardest place to find that out.
Nantes may want thirty but West Ham know, and everyone else knows, that French football is in desperate financial straits. Take twenty and avoid joining Bordeaux.
Whatever happens with Mavro need at least 3 centre bks (preferably 4).
Plus additional left back who can play centre back hopefully.
Celo Henrique plays multiple positions, not sure about centre back?
Can Zeze play centre back?
This could just be another Steiden smoke bomb. I suspect there are some great deals to be had with financially challenged clubs as the window winds down and their bottle starts to go.
nates rejected a 15m euro offer from inter milan for this kid, said they wanted 20m euro
evidently that caught tims attention and a 20m euro bid quickly followed
now they want 30m euro
they obviously haven’t been paying attention to our business this window, we move on to the next target
and nates will probably have to wait a couple of windows to get that 20m euro offer again
He was far from our worst CB last season, certainly better than Zouma and Aguerd. I’d let them go first.
IMO Mav was signed more for his aerial threat from corners to compliment JWP and the Moyes style of play.
I was surprised we signed him after his awful spell in the Prem with Arsenal. Tim could only put names forward that suited Moyes due to him having final say on signings.
Moyes probably vetoed more suitable players due to his stubbornness and obvious issues over Tim’s appointment.
I think this has been clear to see with the effectiveness in this transfer window with J-Lo & Tim working well together.
Spot on, Tim’s remit is to source the player profile the manager asks for.
Losing Dawsons (Jan 23) aerial presence for set pieces was a huge loss so Mavpranos was signed by Moyse (Aug 23).
I’m sure there would have been plenty more options offered to him. I’m sure Moyae would have been drawn to “Premier League experience “, no matter how terrible that experience was with the arse.