West Ham Opinion: Why the Hammers should sign Leonardo Koutris?
According to Portuguese news outlet Correio de Manha, Olympiacos left-back Leonardo Koutris has been a subject of interest from Premier League duo West Ham and Everton.
The 23-year-old has impressed with Olympiacos this season and attracted interest from clubs around Europe. The report also claim Porto have been watching Leonardo Koutris and plan to sign him if Alex Telles leaves.
Despite having a contract until June 2021, Olympiakos has put a £10million price tag on the defender. That being said, West Ham should do everything possible to land Koutris in the summer transfer window.
West Ham are set to miss out on a place in Europe, with the Hammers currently lying 11th on the table. Manuel Pellegrini will be utterly disappointed with the manner in which his team have performed throughout the season. Certainly, he needs to improve his squad to make West Ham capable of challenging for Europe next term.
The Londoners’ defence has been a problem this season and it’s an area Pellegrini needs to prioritise strengthening over the summer. And the left-back department needs a revamp, with neither Arthur Masuaku nor Aaron Cresswell consistently performing. As both Masuaku and Cresswell have done very little to justify a regular spot at left-back, Pellegrini should move in for Koutris.
Koutris’ stock is on the high after his consistent impressive displays for Olympiacos. The 23-year-old has played in 24 games across all competitions this season, assisting four times. An attacking left-back, he’s got the pace and technical abilities that make him a threat for the opposition.
The Greece international is also solid defensively and possesses a good understanding of the game which helps him keep his opponent at bay. Koutris also offers versatility to his team, as can he play either at left-back, left wing-back or even as a left-winger. He has the qualities to thrive in the Premier League and quickly become a key cog of West Ham’s backline.
Verdict
Koutris’ arrival would see West Ham land a quality player at a bargain price in today’s market. At 23, there is still a lot of room for development and he would fit in nicely with Pellegrini’s style of play at the London Stadium.
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The 23-year-old would undoubtedly solidify West Ham, whilst adding competition for the likes of Masuaku and Cresswell. Thus, it’s a no-brainer for Pellegrini to splash the cash and sign Koutris.
