West Ham are reportedly lining up a new left-back in the January transfer window.
According to a report by The Mirror, West Ham want to sign Olympiakos left-back Leonardo Koutris for £5m.
In summer 2016, West Ham signed Arthur Masuaku from Olympiakos to provide cover for injured left-back Aaron Cresswell.
But Manuel Pellegrini is unconvinced by both players and has sent Technical Director Mario Husillos to scout Koutris ahead of a potential January swoop.
Who is Leonardo Koutris?
Koutris has been at Olympiakos since summer 2017, having previously played for Ergotelis and PAS Giannina.
The 23-year-old plays predominantly as a left-back but can also feature higher up the field as a winger.
Born in Brazil, Koutris recently won his first cap for Greece.
He is perhaps best known for being dropped twice from a stretcher in a video which went viral.
What does this mean for Cresswell and Masuaku?
Pellegrini is clearly dissatisfied with his current options at left-back, as shown by his desire to bring in a new player in that department and the fact that he keeps changing his mind over who is his first-choice.
Cresswell was once voted Hammer of the Year but suffered a long-term injury during pre-season in summer 2016.
Since his return, the ex-Ipswich defender has not been the same player.
Masuaku is the other option at left-back but he has also been criticised by West Ham fans.
The 25-year-old is quick and skilful but his defending has often been questioned.
The arrival of Koutris could spell the end of Cresswell or Masuaku’s West Ham career, should Pellegrini decide to sell one of them in January.
Alternatively, Pellegrini could keep both players for different reasons.
Cresswell could remain at the club to provide competition with Koutris at left-back, while Masuaku could be pushed forward and become a winger.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
