West Ham United have been quite active after the Premier League season ended, and have been linked with numerous players as they plot to finish higher than the 10th place they achieved under Manuel Pellegrini in his first year in charge of the club.
The Hammers are looking to sign a striker after they revealed that they will let Andy Carroll leave once his contract expires, while Lucas Perez has already left the club to join Alaves.
West Ham have now been linked with Greek attacker Kostas Fortounis, as per Greek outlet SDNA.
The report claims that West Ham have put in an offer of £15 million, which is a significantly higher transfer offer than their first bid of £7 million.
Kostas Fortounis – Factfile
The attacking midfielder currently plays for Olympiacos, signing for the club in 2014 from Kaiserslautern. He graduated from Olympiacos’ youth academy, but had a couple of spells elsewhere before returning in 2014.
Fortounis scored 17 goals for Olympiacos in the 2018-19 season while also registering 3 assists. Fortounis’ contract with the Greek side expires in 2020, and the report suggests that the club and the player have had contract talks over a new deal.
The 26-year-old has also made 42 appearances for the Greek national team since debuting in 2012, scoring 6 goals in the process.
A wise move by Pellegrini?
West Ham United look set to make a serious investment in the summer after getting rid of a few players and trimming their squad under Pellegrini.
The Hammers’ interest in Fortounis indicates that they want to add depth to their squad as they already have a few players who play in the same position.
Argentine attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini was West Ham’s key player a few seasons ago, but injury and a loss of form saw him feature in very few games in the 2018-19 season.
The diminutive Argentine is still a quality player that can control and make things happen in the final third. The Hammers also have players like Felipe Anderson or Robert Snodgrass who can play that role in midfield.
Fortounis, however, would add something different to the team as he has great technique, vision, and most importantly, goals – something West Ham have lacked lately.
The Greek could be a good link player, while also adding goals from midfield. Last season in the Greek Super League, he managed 12 goals and 9 assists from an attacking midfield role, and also mustered 3 goals and 3 assists in the Europa League, so he has played at a considerably high level of football.
The Hammers’ current midfield and creative department perhaps need a bit more freshness for the club to continue moving forward, and Fortounis’ arrival would help them in the right direction.
Stats via Transfermarkt