A fresh attempt to sign a significant target is reportedly being prepared by West Ham United, with new manager Julen Lopetegui even willing to name him captain.
Rumors of a West Ham transfer
Prior to Lopetegui’s debut season, the Irons and technical director Tim Steidten have already added two players: goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, who left Sheffield United on a free transfer, and young winger Luis Guilherme, who comes from Palmeiras.
Even so, Steidten just warned fans to expect a hectic summer, so there might be lots more to come. “I can’t give you specifics, but we’ll undoubtedly have a busy summer. We’ve had great success financially in recent years thanks to the owner and the board.
“We’re trying to build up the squad. We’re not limiting ourselves to one position – we’re looking at all areas.”
In the meanwhile, Lopetegui stated at his first press conference as West Ham manager regarding future additions: “Of course we are working to improve (the squad).” First and foremost, we are pleased with the players, but naturally, we will work to get better. Although it’s difficult, we must put in a lot of work to prepare for the Premier League and would like players as soon as feasible.
Max Kilman, a defender for Wolverhampton Wanderers, has been a priority target in recent weeks. The Molineux people have already turned down an offer for the Irons valued about £30 million plus add-ons.
As we all know, last week’s attempt to close a deal by those at the London Stadium was unsuccessful. Despite this, they remain optimistic as a new update is now available.
Max Kilman to the latest West Ham
GiveMeSport reports that West Ham has decided “to continue persisting in the hope that their Premier League counterparts will end up choosing to take the cash on offer” and is prepared to submit a second bid for Kilman in the coming days.
The report states that Wolves are refusing to lower the demands of their £45m valuation for Kilman, who ‘is aware of being highly-regarded by Lopetegui, and the Spanish tactician has set his sights on making the 27-year-old West Ham’s captain for the forthcoming campaign if he ends up getting the green-light to make the switch to east London in the coming weeks’.
Kilman, on £50,000-a-week in the Midlands, has captained Wolves under Gary O’Neil, and by the looks of things, he could become Hammers skipper over the coming months in what would be a real statement of intent from Lopetegui, with Micah Richards hailing Kilman back in 2022.
“I just liked the way he approached the game today. He’s a left-footed centre-half who plays on the right of a three. He’s played futsal before and that’s why he might be so comfortable on the ball.
“He looks really good in the Premier League. He looks assured, he’s played every minute this season. Everything about his game is mature. He was the one who caught my eye, especially with his body positions. His all-round performance was really good.”
