West Ham Opinion: Hammers would do themselves a world of good by signing Konstantinos Fortounis
According to the Mirror, West Ham have launched €10million bid for Olympiacos playmaker Konstantinos Fortounis, with the Hammers’ sporting director Mario Husillos identifying the Greek international as a player who could possibly improve the club’s midfield options.
The Mirror also understands that West Ham have made an official offer for the 26-year-old attacking midfielder and Manuel Pellegrini is keen to get the 26-year-old on board in the summer transfer window.
Earlier in the year, Greek news outlet SDNA reported that Norwich City, then in the Championship, were also keeping close tabs on Fortounis, meaning that the Hammers might face competition from the newly-promoted outfit should they revisit their interest.
Fortounis caught the eye with his scintillating run of form in the Greek Super League this term, as the playmaker racked up a staggering 12 goals and 9 assists in 28 appearances.
Although that wasn’t enough to propel Olympiacos to their second successive domestic title, the 26-year-old enjoyed a season with remarkable returns, having accumulated 17 goals and 16 assists in all competitions.
The 26-year-old is highly-rated in Greece, having made his move to Olympiacos back in 2014 after enjoying a fruitful four-year spell with FC Kaiserslautern in the Bundesliga. Fortounis, who has 6 goals in 41 international appearances for Greece, is one of the club’s best players and boasts of an eye-catching record for the domestic giants.
The playmaker has racked up an incredible tally of 67 goals and 60 assists in 196 appearances for Olympiacos across all competitions.
Essentially a central attacking midfielder by trade, Fortounis is an out-and-out No.10 but he is also capable of playing out wide on either flank, owing to his ambidextrous nature.
A technically-gifted, sharp, agile and mobile playmaker noted for his good turn of pace, trickery and flair on the ball, vision and creativity, Fortounis knows exactly how to create his own space in the final third and exploit the gaps in the opposition’s defence.
The Greek international combines his pace and acceleration with his technical abilities on the ball to drive past the opposition and often creates chances with his incisive passing and clever link-up play.
An excellent passer of the ball, Fortounis not only excels with speed of thought and vision in and around the penalty area but he is also adept at making runs into the box to get his name on the scoresheet.
Fortounis registered 3 goals and 3 assists in the Europa League this term, averaging an impressive 2.1 shots, 2.3 key passes, 1.5 crosses and 3.3 successful long balls per game, figures which are a clear testament to his well-rounded passing and playmaking attributes.
To put things into perspective, Fortounis has a wealth of Champions League, Europa League and international experience and he could prove to be an excellent addition to Manuel Pellegrini’s ranks this summer.
The Hammers often struggled to cope with the absence of a natural No.10 last season and the acquisition of Fortounis could solve plenty of problems for the East Londoners.
Samir Nasri is unlikely to be offered a new deal but the Hammers are likely to have Manuel Lanzini at their disposal right from the start of the next campaign after the Argentinian missed large chunks of this past season recovering from an injury.
Felipe Anderson produced impressive returns in his debut season at the London Stadium and the Brazilian is likely to play a key role once again next term. However, the arrival of another quality attacking midfielder like Fortounis should increase competition for places and add a bit more creativity and firepower to West Ham’s ranks.
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Having secured a top-ten finish in the Premier League in their first season under Pellegrini, it is now time for the Hammers to consolidate and mount a strong challenge for a Europa League spot next term.
That said, they should leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of the Greek playmaker given that he has all the attributes to take the Hammers to the next level.
