West Ham United are reportedly weighing up a January move for Australia’s World Cup star Harry Souttar, with his club Stoke City willing to discuss a deal for the right price…
What’s the word?
Souttar recently returned from the sidelines, having been sidelined due to an ACL injury which consequently threw his World Cup hopes into jeopardy.
Making a resounding return, the 24-year-old was the defensive focal point, and is now at the centre of heated interest from a host of Premier League outfits, according to TEAMtalk.
Although, following his successful ventures with his nation in Qatar, The Sun have reported that the Potters have slapped a £25m price tag on their coveted centre-back.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are allegedly frontrunners, with new head coach Julen Lopetgeui searching to inject his essence into the Molineux, but Hammers boss David Moyes is also desperately seeking a remedy to ail their toiling campaign, and instilling a sturdy defensive rock could pave the way for future success.
Can revive the Hammers' poor season
Many of the Hammers faithful must hold a certain sense of incredulity when staring at their team’s landslide of a decline, despite the lucrative summer spending and star-studded quality littered across every department of the pitch.
Indeed, after two momentous years under Moyes’ sagely wing, West Ham now perch precariously in 16th place after 16 matches, one point above 18th-placed Wolves and currently enduring a four-match losing skid.
With ten losses already in the league this season, not even at the midpoint - last term, the Irons suffered 14 defeats - a revitalised presence in the mould of Souttar could in turn breathe fresh life into the squad, provide some solidarity in defence and rekindle the resilience that has seemingly evaporated over the past months.
Making just the four appearances this term in the Championship, due to his extensive layoff, the 24-year-old has yet to taste defeat, winning twice and drawing the other two.
Recording an average rating of 6.8, steadily acclimatising back to the relentless life within English football, making 1.5 tackles and forging an incredible 8.5 clearances per outing for the Potters.
As per Sofascore, the 6 foot 6 titan was immense in Qatar, etching a rating of 6.97 into the system as his assurance and physical presence at the back secured second place from the group phase, with the nation losing valiantly to eventual champions Argentina.
He completed 83% of his passes while making 1.5 interceptions, 1.0 tackles and 5.5 clearances per game - his sweeping approach is evident, and the Irons owners - David Gold and David Sullivan with Karren Brady (GSB), would reap the rewards at the London Stadium in rebuffing the offensive advances of Premier League opposition.
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During the World Cup, Pat Nevin, commentating for BBC 5 Live (via the Stoke Sentinel) lauded the colossus for having "a magnet in his head," and he will certainly enjoy success as a repelling force in front of the West Ham goal, bolstering the side at both ends of the pitch and thus helping to steer the ship back on its course.