Graham Potter has an intriguing former Juventus CB on West Ham transfer wishlist | OneFootball

West Ham made one of the biggest center back signings on the summer 2024 transfer market when they brought in Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice, using the allure of the Premier League to beat Serie A giants Juventus - traditionally one of the biggest powers in European football - to the punch.

Todibo was one of the best center backs in French football, and there is hope that he and Konstantinos Mavropanos, formerly one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga, can come good as a tandem despite some of their hiccups this season.

Of course, the best and most consistent West Ham central defender this season has been another new signing in Max Kilman, formerly of Wolves. He's stepped right in and put his body on the line as a leader for the Hammers, just as he did at Wolverhampton.

But understandably, new West Ham manager Graham Potter wants to add some more talent at the position and a young central defender who can potentially push the guys ahead of him on the depth chart for starts. Most teams in the Premier League are trying to be four-deep at the position.

Koni De Winter is on West Ham's list

According to a report from Give Me Sport's Danny Rust and Dean Jones, West Ham manager Graham Potter is eyeing Genoa starting center back Koni De Winter, who could follow in the footsteps of Radu Dragusin as the latest Juventus talent playing at Genoa to make it in the Premier League. (Dragusin joined Tottenham last winter.)

De Winter has interest from Wolves and Nottingham Forest, but reading the report, there is an implication that West Ham are favorites. It appears competition will be stiff with, reportedly, many clubs from England impressed with his development.

One of a few young talents whom Juve gave up on too soon, De Winter always had intriguing traits and has been compared to fellow Belgian center back Vincent Kompany, one of the biggest icons of the Premier League in the 2010s for Manchester City.

Only 22 years old despite being around the block for a handful of years, De Winter looks even better than Dragusin and is putting it all together in the 2024/25 Serie A season. He is averaging 2.2 combined tackles and interceptions per game with just 0.3 dribbles completed allowed and nearly 4.0 aerial duels won per match. De Winter has even scored three goals. Depending on the cost, he could be a strong addition to the Hammers' back line.