Lazio are pursuing Fotis Ioannidis, a striker targeted by West Ham, as the summer transfer window approaches. The 24-year-old forward has shown impressive form, netting 21 goals in 39 matches for Panathinaikos across all competitions this season. His standout performances in Greece have caught the eye of numerous clubs, including West Ham, whose central defender Konstantinos Mavropanos has reportedly recommended Ioannidis to Hammers officials.
Get out of the way: Fotis Loannidis is almost flattened by Dinos Mavropanos
Italian sports publication Gazzetta dello Sport reports that both West Ham and Lazio are keen on clinching a deal for Ioannidis in the upcoming transfer window, with Lazio appearing to have the upper hand. The Serie A powerhouses are in the market for a new striker, and Ioannidis has risen to the top of their list of preferred candidates. Meanwhile, acquiring a forward is also high on the agenda for West Ham’s director of football, Tim Steidten, especially considering the team’s struggles in the absence of key player Michail Antonio. One only had to witness the toothless first half against Wolves in Antonio’s absence to see how desperately we need a forward.