West Ham United, who were recently relegated to the Championship, are reported to be the leading contenders to sign Leicester City's 27-year-old Australian defender Harry Souttar. West Ham are interested in the player, who is expected to leave the League One club before the new season begins. Leicester City are understood to be prepared to consider large offers for Souttar, as he is one of the higher earners at the club with a contract running until 2028. Souttar, who has 42 caps and 11 goals for his country, wishes to continue playing at the highest level possible after captaining Australia at the World Cup. West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is looking for players with experience in both the Premier League and the second tier, and the club's interest in defenders has increased due to issues with their existing options. West Ham's transfer activity is expected to begin following recent player sales. Several other clubs, including Stoke City and Sheffield United, have also been associated with an interest in the player. Recent reports from July 2026 state Leicester City wish to recover the maximum possible amount of the £15 million fee they paid in January 2023, with rumoured fees in June 2026 ranging from £4 million to £10 million.