Arsenal land unlikely transfer windfall after Premier League rival seal signing

22 August 2023 , 23:00

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Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are set for a major transfer windfall (Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal are set to receive a £1.7million windfall from West Ham after the Hammers completed the signing of Konstantinos Mavropanos from Stuttgart.

The 25-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the London Stadium and becomes their third major arrival of the summer. West Ham are set to pay Stuttgart £17m plus £2m in add-ons for the Greece international, who spent three years with the Bundesliga outfit, making 89 appearances in the process.

But Mavrapanos did not leave Arsenal on a permanent deal until May 2022, despite failing to make an appearance under Mikel Arteta following his appointment in December 2019. In total, Mavrapanos played just eight first-team matches for the Gunners.

And now, 15 months since his departure from Arsenal, the club are set to gain at a set figure of £1.7m after installing a sell-on clause in his Stuttgart contract. Mavrapanos could make his West Ham debut on Saturday when David Moyes' side travel to face Brighton - over four years since his last Premier League appearance.

Speaking after his move was confirmed, Mavrapanos said: "I am really happy and excited to be here – and to be back in the Premier League with West Ham United. It's an exciting time to be joining the Club after last season's Conference League win – and I am really looking forward to the next step in my career. I can promise the fans I will give everything for them and the shirt."

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Moyes added: "We've been looking to add to our centre-half options this summer, so it's good we've been able to bring in an international defender of his ability. We're really looking forward to integrating him into the group."

Former Arsenal centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos has joined West Ham from Stuttgart (Getty Images)

West Ham had tried to sign Harry Maguire for £30m from Manchester United, before Moyes' men pulled the plug on the transfer after becoming frustrated with a lack of progress. The Hammers have also been linked with Scott McTominay but are unlikely to sign the Scotland international this summer.

Mavrapanos follows Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse through the West Ham doors, and further bolsters their squad as they prepare to play in Europe for the third successive season. The Hammers are set to compete in the Europa League this time around after winning the Conference League in June.

The Hammers have made a steady start to the Premier League season, picking up four points from their opening two matches. They were held to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on the opening weekend, before earning a 3-1 victory over Chelsea thanks to goals from Nayef Aguerd, Michail Antonio and Lucas Paqueta.

Kieran King