---
title: "West Ham United now trailing Leicester City in Harry Souttar race"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-united-harry-souttar-transfer-rumours/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2023-01-09T18:35:10Z"
modified: "2023-01-09T18:35:10Z"
---

# West Ham United now trailing Leicester City in Harry Souttar race

**[West Ham United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/) are now trailing Leicester City in the race to sign Stoke City defender Harry Souttar, according to a new report.**

### The Lowdown: West Ham’s Souttar interest

It was [reported](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/wolves-transfer-news-souttar-premier-league/) back in December that West Ham were interested in Souttar after the defender impressed at the World Cup with national side Australia, finishing as the [fourth](https://www.sofascore.com/team/football/australia/4741)-best performing player in the squad, as per SofaScore.

Wolverhampton Wanderers also [have](https://www.teamtalk.com/wolves/exclusive-lopetegui-eyes-wolves-raid-outstanding-world-cup-defender-west-ham-threaten-transfer-plan) the Australian on their radar, with Stoke said to be bracing themselves for offers in January, but it has now been claimed that a different club is leading the way.

### The Latest: Leicester in pole

According to a report from the Daily Record (via [Leicester Mercury](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/leicester-city-transfers-souttar-stoke-8005868)), Leicester are now in pole position to sign the 24-year-old, after conducting numerous scouting missions.

The Hammers and Wolves are both said to ‘fancy’ the 6 foot 6 giant, but they will now have to make up ground on the Foxes if they are to complete a January deal.

### The Verdict: Get it done?

There is not yet any talk of an official bid being lodged by Brendan Rodgers’ side, so there is still an opportunity for [David Moyes](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/david-moyes/) to win the race for the defender’s signature, and there are plenty of signs that indicate he would be a very good signing.

The [14](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/harry-souttar/nationalmannschaft/spieler/298091)-time Australia international has been [hailed](https://twitter.com/Zonal_Marking/status/1597997608626442240?s=20&t=EtGNk14w8k7jqprTCI0Ftw) as ‘incredible’ by The Athletic’s Michael Cox, and his height makes him a towering aerial presence, displaying his dominance in the air by averaging [4.33](https://fbref.com/en/players/0a6cb1b1/Harry-Souttar) aerials won per 90 in the last year, in the 95th percentile compared to other centre-backs.

In truth, the Hammers’ defence has not been their main issue this season, conceding just [24](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/clubs/goals_conceded) goals, but they could still do with a long-term replacement for Craig Dawson, whose contract [expires](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-dawson/profil/spieler/121477) at the end of the season, and is [seeking](https://www.givemesport.com/88095712-west-ham-transfer-news-star-now-good-chance-leaving-london-stadium) a move further north.

As such, Souttar could fit the bill, given that he is just coming into his prime.