West Ham United have reportedly enquired about the possibility of signing Genoa defender Koni De Winter. According to Italian sources relayed by Sport Witness, the Hammers have ‘asked for information’ about the Belgian international, joining fellow Premier League club Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for the giant defenders signature.
Maxwel Cornet, currently on loan at Genoa, has impressed manager Patrick Vieira since making a mid-season switch from Southampton. The Ivorian winger struggled to make an impact on the South Coast but has enjoyed a resurgence in Italy, potentially playing a role in West Ham’s pursuit of De Winter.
Genoa are said to have slapped a €30m price tag on the 22-year-old, looking to cash in after signing him permanently from Juventus last year. A swap deal involving Cornet could be an option, but when Claret & Hugh asked a high-ranking West Ham source about a swap involving De Winter last week, the response was clear: “Swaps and trades are very hard to do, it’s easier to keep transfers separate.”
Serie A clubs Napoli, Milan and Roma are also monitoring De Winter, who can operate as a centre-back, right-back, or defensive midfielder. Juventus U23 scout Antonio Mango has previously described him as “gifted,” highlighting his versatility. De Winter has been caped once by the Belgium senior team and despite spending three years in Turin, never made a senior competitive appearance for Juventus.
Should West Ham and Graham Potter push ahead with a move, De Winter would likely replace Dinos Mavropanos who has looked patchy at best for the Hammers this season.
“Swaps and trades are very hard to do, it’s easier to keep transfers separate.”
Sorry, what? It’s very simple.
If Genoa are looking for around £25m for De Winter and they value Cornet at £10-15m then that means West Ham could use that as a part exchange value and only need to pay Genoa £10-15m for De Winter.