DEAL DONE;West Ham and Brighton player swop’ deal discussed

It was difficult to look objectively at news articles that whizzed across my screen last night. After watching the Hammers’ meek capitulation against Southampton and then having to regale Claret and Hugh readers with details, my desire to keep my finger on the pulse of news stories relating to West Ham transfers was – shall we say- distinctly lacking.

So I missed this intriguing report from 3addedminutes.com concerning a possible transfer market swap between the Hammers and Brighton. It concerns two similar players who are seemingly unappreciated in there current role and may both find a warmer welcome by changing clubs: West Ham’s Konstantinos Mavropanos has developed a reputation as something of an error-prone centre back at London stadium and it is suggested that he’d find a more suited home in Brighton’s brand of football.

At the same time Graham Potter has made no secret of his desire to engineer a reunion with Brighton’s defender Adam Webster. As the report puts it:

With Mavropanos under contract until 2028 and seemingly more suited to Hurzeler’s brand of football it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the Seagulls could put forward a small bid for the 28-year-old while offering 30-year-old Webster in the final year of his contract, as a makeweight as part of the deal. The move would arguably suit both players and manager as they try to implement their brand of football on their respective teams.”

Sounds unlikely. West Ham like to complicate matters and that is far too simple a solution to Graham Potters defensive shortcomings. Aguerd as the ‘returning’ third centre back would make Webster a useful fourth man – whether that offers any significant upgrade on Mavropanos is debatable.