LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: A general view inside the stadium as Neal Maupay of Brighton & Hove Albion scores their team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on December 27, 2020 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
West Ham will now sign Max Kilman from Wolves and an official announcement could come as early as this weekend, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
The Sky Sports journalist shared an update live on Sky Sports News on 5 July to say that it was now a matter of “when and not if” the defender’s move is now confirmed with the Irons having moved “really, really quickly” to wrap up the deal.
Sheth had earlier reported that the Englishman had completed his Hammers medical the same day, with a fee of around £40million having been agreed at Molineux for their captain.
Julen Lopetegui previously managed Kilman when at Wolves and Sheth added that the Spaniard had had an input in the push to sign him alongside technical director Tim Steidten.
The centre-back will join goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and winger Luis Guilherme as signings for the new manager.
West Ham wrap up top Julen Lopetegui target from Molineux
When the Hammers had an initial offer for Kilman rejected worth around £25m [Telegraph, 21 June] but remained in negotiations, and then had a similar bid for Jean-Clair Todibo turned down despite still feeling they could do a deal [The Athletic, 3 July] the quest to strengthen the defence looked like it would be another slow and frustrating one.
So it will come as some relief to fans that the club have decided not to mess around any longer and ensured Kilman is brought in.
Lopetegui was clearly convinced by the 27-year-old from their time together at Molineux and since the Irons had already been after him for some time it made perfect sense for effort to be put into a move.
Whether the defender will prove to be the right answer for a back line which underperformed last season is another matter but it is encouraging this one has been pushed through when the past year has seen its fair share of pursuits end in disappointment.
There will be no rest for Steidten yet as there’s plenty more work to do on Lopetegui’s squad but Kilman and Guilherme are two big requirements done.
Clearly the club can’t be cavalier with their money in an age where profit and sustainability rules have already seen points deductions imposed in the Premier League.
But taking the initiative to do deals such as this one, which appears to be coming in slightly below the widely-reported £45m asking price, should help engage a fanbase which found itself increasingly divided over David Moyes.
