Superb Midfielder Won't 'Cost A Fortune' For Irons

Rarely does a Hammers transfer target had such an apt name, as the club are closing in on signing Greece midfielder Kostas Fortounis from Olympiakos. The 26 year old can play as a centre back or in midfield and stands 6'2" tall, so he won't get intimidated. The price being talked about is around £16 Million, not cheap but relatively inexpensive in today's insanely inflated market, so he won't 'cost a fortune'!
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West Ham's pursuit of Barcelona star Andre Gomes, who was on loan at Everton for a year, is all but over as it is increasingly apparent he will be far too expensive for the club,but Fortounis is within the club's price range and a player highly recommended by sporting director Mario Husillos. Husillos worked with Fortounis briefly at Olympiakos, with the midfielder already an established international.

Fortounis has been a regular in the last five years with Olympiakos after a spell in Germany with FC Kaiserslauter, Husillos has obviously identified the need for a player equally adept as part of the back line or in midfield if required, it seems the penny has finally dropped with Manuel Pellegrini and Mario Husillos with them realising they made an enormous 'ricket' by signing Jack Wilshere, they won't admit it to the press, but they know Jack was their only cock up in what was otherwise a superb season of recruitment!

The pragmatic approach of Pellegrini and Husillos is to be admired, far better to recognise a problem that is going to continue rather than ignoring it, a 'head in the sand' attitude was adopted far too often in the past by those in control of player acquisitions, those decisions cost the club dear, it is to be hoped lessons really have been learned, you never know, perhaps Olympiakos will take Jack Wilshere as part of the deal? Well, hope springs eternal. - Ed