---
title: "Virals: West Ham keen on Stoke City defender Harry Souttar"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/05/08/virals-west-ham-keen-on-stoke-city-defender-harry-souttar/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-05-08T11:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-05-08T11:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: West Ham keen on Stoke City defender Harry Souttar

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/05/08/virals-west-ham-are-interested-in-besiktas-striker-cyle-larin/) are believed to be interested in Stoke City centre-back Harry Souttar.

Irons boss [David Moyes](https://readwestham.com/2021/05/06/virals-west-ham-account-names-five-top-striker-targets/) has long since prioritised bolstering the defensive ranks at the London Stadium, falling short in the [quest to sign James Tarkowski](https://talksport.com/football/760981/james-tarkowski-west-ham-third-final-bid-burnley-rejected/) from Burnley last summer.

Having landed Craig Dawson on a season-long loan deal from Watford instead, the experienced defender has earned a [permanent switch](https://talksport.com/football/efl/860757/west-ham-permanent-signing-craig-dawson-watford-champions-league/) to the Hammers.

As the summer transfer window approaches once more, Moyes could turn his attention to the position – especially as [Fabian Balbuena’s east London stay](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/players/west-ham-fabian-balbuena-decision-20467781) looks to be drawing to an end.

According to a report from [Lancs Live](https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/transfer-news/burnley-transfer-news-stoke-city-20542814) and [West Ham Fan Zone](https://twitter.com/WHUFCFZ/status/1390792589830508546) on Twitter, 6’6 Australian international Souttat could fit the bill.

> Twitter: Rumours circulating today that Stoke City centre-back Harry Souttar is close to a move to West Ham.
>
> \#WHUFC #COYI https://t.co/eyPtDqtxKX (@WHUFCFZ)

Aberdeen-born, the 22-year-old chose to represent Australia despite representing Scotland at youth level – remarkably [scoring four goals in just two caps](https://www.transfermarkt.com/harry-souttar/nationalmannschaft/spieler/298091/verein_id/3433) to date.

This season Souttar, who has [described](https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/burton/joey-bartons-praise-stoke-citys-2577749) as ‘exemplary’ by Joey Barton during a loan spell with Fleetwood Town, has played [38 times](https://www.transfermarkt.com/harry-souttar/leistungsdaten/spieler/298091) in the Championship, earning an impressive [7.05 Sofascore rating](https://www.sofascore.com/player/harry-souttar/808680) along the way.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Unsurprisingly the towering defender possesses [unrivalled aerial ability](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/344380/Show/Harry-Souttar) and would offer a threat in both penalty areas.

Stoke are somewhat languishing in mid-table and could be tempted to sell the [£3.5million valued man](https://www.transfermarkt.com/harry-souttar/marktwertverlauf/spieler/298091) for the right money this summer.

There is a sting for the Hammers, however, as both Burnley and Wolves are also credited with an interest in the defender – although the [lure of European football](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) could see Moyes’ men win the race.