West Ham now want to sign a player who Julen Lopetegui knows well.
It is time for a new era at the London Stadium after David Moyes departed at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, following a tough season which saw the Hammers finish ninth in the Premier League – failing to qualify for Europe for the first time in three years.
There are some gaps in the squad which Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten will need to fill – and a face familiar to the Spaniard is now on West Ham‘s radar…
West Ham want to sign Max Kilman
A story from The Sun now claims that West Ham want to sign Wolves No.23 Max Kilman.
Lopetegui is planning to overhaul the defensive department at the London Stadium, and is keen to be reunited with the Englishman, who is described as a long-term target for West Ham.
Kilman made 24 appearances under the Asteasu-born tactician at Wolves, where he has since matured into an even better footballer, earning the captaincy under Gary O’Neil.
The Sun believe Wolves will demand £45m to sell the 27-year-old this summer, although those at Molineux are described as being cash-strapped, so perhaps the Old Gold could budge on that asking price.
Wolves No.23 could be tasked with replacing £60m worth of talent
If a deal materialises between West Ham and Wolves, Kilman – who Ally McCoist rates highly – may be tasked with replacing £60m worth of defensive talent in east London.
READ MORE: West Ham also eyeing ‘incredible’ £35m forward Julen Lopetegui knows well
The Sun add that West Ham will consider offers for Kurt Zouma this summer – who was signed in a £30m deal from Chelsea back in August 2021.
It is also said that Nayef Aguerd – who cost £30m from Rennes in June 2022 – faces an uncertain summer, with a move to Saudi Arabia potentially on the horizon for the Morocco international.
Furthermore, The Sun believe Angelo Ogbonna and Ben Johnson will leave the London Stadium, so the pressure really could be on Kilman to singlehandedly transform West Ham’s backline under Lopetegui.