West Ham are in negotiations to sign VfB Stuttgart defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, it has been reported by ExWHUEmployee.

Although the club had previously agreed a fee with Manchester United for Harry Maguire, it appears West Ham have lost patience with the transfer, with the Red Devils reportedly looking for a replacement before sanctioning a deal, and have not been ‘forthcoming’ in the talks to get the deal concluded.

Therefore our Hammers have turned attention elsewhere, with Ex reporting on The West Ham Way Patreon that we are now looking at alternative options to Maguire, with the club edging closer to agreeing a deal for a former Arsenal defender.

“We reported earlier that the club would move onto alternative centre backs and this appears to be what they have done,” reported our Podcast co-host and club insider.

“They are also focusing on Steidten’s recommendations. Now a number of centre backs have been put forward by the German including his fellow countryman Jonathan Tah of his former club Leverkusen, Odilon Kossounou or Edmond Tapsoba who also play for Leverkusen, Danilho Doekhi of Union Berlin and a few players based in Italy and France.

“As reported previously too, Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea is a player we have a keen interest in.

“However we believe that Greek international Konstantinos Mavropanos could also have been in negotiations and could well be getting close to agreeing a deal – although we are awaiting confirmation on this.

“The defender plays for German side VfB Stuttgart and had a period at Arsenal where he played 7 games for the North Londoners. He stands at 6 foot 4 and has been linked with the club before.”

The club are reported to be working on bringing other targets in ahead of the deadline day closure at the end of the month, with Ex keeping fans up to date on the progress of all pursuits on Patreon.