Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Odilon Kossounou is on Liverpool’s watchlist after his move to West Ham United “failed”, according to The Sun.
The newspaper reported online (3 September) that the highly-rated 22-year-old was a target for the Hammers this summer, but they couldn’t complete the move.
The Guardian claimed (14 August) that the Hammers were interested in a quick centre-back and identified Kossounou and Leverkusen partner Jonathan Tah as incoming, but now the Reds have their eye on the man who would “jump at a move to Merseyside”.
Missed chance
Most players would probably choose to join Liverpool over West Ham despite the Irons’ significantly boosted reputation and stature.
The Hammers made some significant coups for players that many had tipped to join Champions League-level outfits. The likes of Mohammed Kudus and James Ward-Prowse are top-level signings, so fans should not feel disappointed over potentially losing Kossounou to Liverpool.
West Ham’s efforts to secure a new centre-back were answered by the arrival of Konstantinos Mavropanos from Bundesliga side Stuttgart, but many think the Hammers could have done with another body to bolster the centre of the back line.
Their interest in Manchester United’s Harry Maguire was widespread and long-term, but they never managed to agree a deal amid United’s seeming reluctance and Maguire’s attempts to fight for his space.
Liverpool may have the last laugh and get a deal for the Ivory Coast international, and his seeming keenness to make the move to Anfield would stop any West Ham attempt to prize him to Stratford.
