Gary O’Neil’s brutally honest Wolves admission has the cleared the path for a Julen Lopetegui reunion with leading star at West Ham.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Julen Lopetegui is replacing David Moyes at West Ham.
So it is inevitable West Ham will be linked with a number of Wolves stars in the coming months.
There is one Wolves player in particular who has already been in the club’s sights for some time.
The club’s skipper Max Kilman.
Back in January we reported on claims that West Ham want Wolves skipper Kilman.
But it was clear the Hammers may have to wait until the summer to have the funds to meet the asking price for the London-born, ball-carrying centre-back.
There will be a huge turnover of players at the London Stadium when Lopetegui comes in. By necessity given that West Ham’s squad is the smallest in the Premier League and around 10 players are expected to depart.
Kilman one of Lopetegui’s prime targets
It has been reported that Lopetegui, who walked out on Wolves on the eve of this season, has already been working with Hammers technical director Tim Steidten on targets.
And the player he wants West Ham to sign above anyone else is Kilman.
Claret and Hugh claim that is the incoming new manager’s priority this summer.
It’s easy to see why with Thilo Kehrer signing permanently for Monaco, veteran Angelo Ogbonna nearing the end of his Hammers career and Nayef Aguerd up for sale.
Signing a rival Premier League club’s captain is not always easy.
But the wheels may have been greased for West Ham.
In an ironic twist it seems the reason Lopetegui walked out on Wolves could now enable him to sign Kilman.
O’Neil’s admission clears path for reunion at West Ham
The Spaniard walked out on Wolves after the club broke promises over transfer spending and ambition after a fire sale of top players.
Lopetegui was replaced by Gary O’Neil, who has done an equally good job of keeping Wolves safe despite their financial difficulties.
Now O’Neil’s Wolves admission has cleared the path for a Lopetegui reunion with star Kilman at West Ham.
The former West Ham midfielder, who was also linked as a replacement for Moyes, says he will have to sell a “big player” in order to make signings this summer.
“I don’t think there will be money available to us without selling a player,” O’Neil said as reported by Always Wolves.
“The club is expecting in the foreseeable future to fund itself. But these things can change. I wouldn’t expect it to be a summer where we spend millions and millions.
“We’ll have to do some really good business in the summer. It’s difficult to answer until it gets going but we’ll be doing everything we can.
“I don’t think there will be money available to us if nobody leaves.”
Perfect signing for new Hammers era
It comes after a similar admission from O’Neil when West Ham were being linked with Kilman in January.
Wolves are clearly desperate for cash and that will be music to West Ham’s ears.
Now it is up to the Hammers make an offer that is simply too good for Wolves to turn down.
West Ham need to lower the average age of the Premier League’s second oldest squad while also bringing in more players who tick the homegrown status box.
The Hammers are also crying out for a new starting centre-back and more leadership. Even Moyes admitted the team lacks leaders after the 5-0 defeat to Chelsea.
At 26 and as one of the top centre-backs in the top flight, captain Kilman ticks all those boxes.
With Aguerd likely to be sold and West Ham having money to spend, O’Neil’s admission will surely give Steidten and David Sullivan the green light.
