Arsenal transfer news: Mavropanos deal greenlit, but two rivals eye rapid return to England
Konstantinos Mavropanos will join Stuttgart from Arsenal on a permanent deal, though a report has suggested he may yet play in England next season.
The Greek centre-back, 24, initially joined Stuttgart on loan in 2020. He impressed sufficiently in his first season to see a second loan spell sanctioned last summer. And it is in his second campaign that Mavropanos has really hit his stride.
Indeed, Mavropanos played a key role in helping Stuttgart to retain their Bundesliga status. He featured in all but three of their league matches this season, with that trio of misses coming through injury, rather than being dropped.
Stuttgart survived on the final day on Sunday with an injury-time winner from Wataru Endo saving their skin. According to Fabrizio Romano, the obligation to buy that was dependant on their survival will now be triggered.
Romano tweeted Mavropanos will join Stuttgart on a permanent deal worth £2.7m. However, his information was slightly different to that of the Athletic.
They reported Stuttgart had indicated to Arsenal they would like to sign the centre-back regardless of whether they stayed up.
Furthermore, the Athletic report Stuttgart will in fact pay £3m with another £1.5m in bonuses making its way to north London.
Whether Arsenal receive £2.7m or £4.5m, one thing is for sure, Mavropanos’ true value is far higher.
Mavropanos true value emerges
Arsenal are selling on the cheap due to the pre-negotiated terms of the move. The Gunners forked out around £1.8m for his signature in 2018, though German outlet Bild recently claimed his real value is now closer to £17m.
At that price, Mavropanos still represents a tantalising opportunity in the market. Borussia Dortmund were said to be keen, while West Ham were also mentioned.
West Ham targeting pair from Arsenal
West Ham are targeting forward Eddie Nketiah and centre-half Konstantinos Mavropanos from Arsenal in a potential double summer swoop.
Per the Athletic, both those clubs are confirmed to be interested parties, though the Metro now add Newcastle are in the mix too.
Stuttgart will be able to generate an immediate and sizeable profit if sanctioning a sale straight away. Romano concluded Mavropanos will ‘discuss his future with Stuttgart soon’.
Should West Ham, Newcastle pounce?
On the face of it, a move for Mavropanos appears to be excellent business from all aspects.
At 24, he is entering his prime years as a centre-half and now has a full campaign of experience in his locker.
He withstood the rigours of a stressful season at Stuttgart and aided their survival cause at both ends. His four league goals actually made him their joint-second top scorer in the league behind only Saša Kalajdžić (six).
West Ham will be in Europe once again next season and keeping their centre-backs fit this season has been difficult.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have high hopes of bursting onto the European scene in the coming years. Adequate strength in depth will be required in the north east sooner rather than later, and at around £17m, Mavropanos wouldn’t be a bank-breaker either.