Report: £21m defender set to leave West Ham as Potter targets massive upgrade

West Ham United is in dire need of a major squad overhaul, and head coach Graham Potter is reportedly planning exactly that.

The London Stadium outfit requires significant reinforcements, particularly in defense, as Potter looks to rectify the issues left behind by Julen Lopetegui and David Moyes.

While West Ham’s search for a new centre-forward has been widely discussed, their defensive frailties demand urgent attention.

Potter is known to admire Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo, yet he needs more quality options at centre-back.

Encouragingly, he appears willing to make tough decisions to strengthen the squad.

One of those decisions could involve moving on a struggling defender while securing an exciting replacement.

Konstantinos Mavropanos Wants to Leave West Ham

This summer is expected to bring a major shake-up at the London Stadium, with numerous players from the past two transfer windows linked with exits.

According to the Sunday Mirror (March 9th edition, page 70), Konstantinos Mavropanos could be among those departing.

Reports suggest that Potter has grown frustrated with Mavropanos’ consistently poor performances.

The 27-year-old Greek international has struggled since joining West Ham from Stuttgart for £21 million in the summer of 2023.

His lack of concentration, poor decision-making, and positional errors have cost the team dearly on several occasions.

Now, it seems his time in East London is nearing an end, as West Ham looks to upgrade the heart of their defense.

Koni De Winter Tipped as Mavropanos’ Replacement

The Sunday Mirror reports that West Ham has identified Genoa defender Koni De Winter as a priority target for the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old Belgian centre-back has impressed in Serie A and possesses all the attributes needed to thrive in the Premier League.

Over the past few months, West Ham has been heavily linked with De Winter, and securing his signature would be a significant coup.

Technically gifted, composed under pressure, and standing at 6ft 3in, he has the physical presence and ball-playing ability required to succeed in English football.

The prospect of De Winter arriving while Mavropanos departs is an exciting one for West Ham supporters.

If completed, this defensive switch could be one of the most impactful moves of the summer window.

In terms of upgrades, it could be compared to the transition from the Nokia 3210 to an Apple iPhone— a substantial leap in quality and reliability.