There has been a killer blow as Man United hijack West Ham’s plan to sign one of the Premier League’s top stars this summer.
If you are going to copy a team’s transfer activity then West Ham would be one of the first places to look and Man United the last.
West Ham technical director Tim Steidten has earned his reputation as one of the top recruiters in football.
Meanwhile Manchester United’s transfer business has been among the worst in the top flight before INEOS arrived promising big changes.
The Hammers spent their Declan Rice money expertly last summer, bringing in brilliant duo Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus.
Both West Ham and Manchester United need major rebuilds this summer.
The Irons are set to announce record £368m turnover and are expected to raise another £100m plus from the sale of the likes of Lucas Paqueta and Nayef Aguerd.
So that will stand the east Londoners in good stead with 10-12 signings required in the summer window.
Manchester United meanwhile are in the midst of trying to hire Dan Ashworth from Newcastle to help revamp their recruitment.
And it seems copying West Ham’s ‘pearl diver’ Steidten is part of the INEOS plan.
Because there’s been a killer blow as Man United hijack West Ham’s plan to sign one of the Premier League’s top stars.
That man being Wolves defender and captain Max Kilman.
Signing a new top quality centre-back is a major priority for both the Hammers and Red Devils this summer.
With Thilo Kehrer set to join Monaco permanently, Angelo Ogbonna likely in his last season, inconsistent Aguerd also set to be sold and Kurt Zouma struggling with longstanding knee issues, West Ham desperately need a new starting centre half.
The same can be said for Man United, who may even need two after being forced to bring back Jonny Evans.
West Ham were heavily linked with a move for Kilman in January.
Wolverhampton Wanderers boss and former Hammers midfielder Gary O’Neil gave his old club huge encouragement when he admitted he must sell to buy.
But a move never materialised as PSR dictated a quiet window across the Premier League.
Journalist Ben Jacobs claimed a West Ham move for Kilman was ‘one to watch’.
And Ally McCoist revealed Kilman is high on West Ham’s wanted list.
So the Hammers will be gravely concerned after The Times claimed Manchester United are now planning to try and beat them to the brilliant 26-year-old.
“Man United have prioritised bringing in a defender and a striker, and Marc Guéhi is on a shortlist that also includes Max Kilman, the Wolverhampton Wanderers captain,” The Times reports.
“Kilman is also a target for West Ham United.
“Manchester United have had problems in defence and have been unable to pick their first-choice back four for most of the campaign. Lisandro Martínez and Victor Lindelof were ruled out for more than a month with calf and hamstring injuries respectively.”
The only hope here is that Guehi is Man United’s prime target and that leaves the door ajar for West Ham to get Kilman.
But with European football unlikely to be on offer at West Ham next season, Steidten may finds he struggles to attract established stars such as Kilman.