---
title: "West Ham ready for transfer battle to sign Odilon Kossounou"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/odilon-kossounou-transfer-news-rumours-updates-latest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2023-02-27T17:40:04Z"
modified: "2023-02-27T17:40:04Z"
---

# West Ham ready for transfer battle to sign Odilon Kossounou

**[West Ham United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/) are ready to fight it out to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou, according to a report.**

### The Lowdown: West Ham eyeing defender

West Ham manager David Moyes has set his sights on a new defender this summer, with AS Roma’s Chris Smalling recently being[linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/chris-smalling-transfer-news-rumours-updates/) with a move to the London Stadium.

Angelo Ogbonna has recently [admitted](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/west-ham-angelo-ogbonna-new-contract-b1063147.html) that he wants to extend his stay with the Irons beyond the end of the season, when his current deal [expires](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/angelo-ogbonna/profil/spieler/48002), however no talks have yet been held, meaning a couple of new centre-back additions could be required.

### The Latest: Kossounou targeted

According to a [report](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/21516421/odilon-koussounou-west-ham-leicester-transfer-bayer-leverkusen/) from The Sun, the Hammers are ready to fight it out for Koussounou, who could be available for a summer move, given that he has expressed his desire to leave Leverkusen.

The report claims that Moyes failed in a bid to loan the defender in the January transfer window, but he still remains interested, with the Bundesliga club looking to receive £25m if they are going to sanction his departure.

That price appears to be too high for the Irons, however, and they could instead look to strike a loan-to-buy agreement.

[![West Ham latest news](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cropped-david-moyes-premier-league-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-news-6/)

### The Verdict: Get it done?

There is some evidence that the 6 foot 3 colossus would be an upgrade on some of West Ham’s current options at centre-back, [averaging](https://fbref.com/en/players/1f3afdcb/Odilon-Kossonou) more interceptions and aerials won per 90 than both [Ogbonna](https://fbref.com/en/players/74b2cd7e/Angelo-Ogbonna) and [Kurt Zouma](https://fbref.com/en/players/ce4246f5/Kurt-Zouma) over the course of the past year.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”419201″\]

The Ivorian has been [lauded](https://twitter.com/FTalentScout/status/1429147709592817664?s=20) as having a ‘crazy amount of talent’ by football scout Jacek Kulig, but he has struggled to cement his place in the Leverkusen team this season, often [featuring](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/odilon-kossounou/leistungsdaten/spieler/644771) off the bench rather than as a starter.

That said, Kossounou is still only 22-years-old, meaning he has plenty of time to develop, and a move could be exactly what he needs to reignite his career, considering he wants to leave Leverkusen. As such, West Ham should definitely pursue a deal in the summer transfer window.