West Ham United look set for a busy summer on the transfer front in order to give Julen Lopetegui the best possible start as Hammers manager.
The Hammers are likely to bolster their defensive ranks after a disappointing campaign in which they missed out on Europe.
West Ham conceded 74 goals in the Premier League last campaign, more than any other team in the top half of the table.
The Hammers also finished the season with the sixth-worst goal difference in the league, which shows they could do with strengthening at the back.
In recent days, speculation had been intensifying over West Ham and Flamengo defender Fabricio Bruno, but that deal seems to be stalling.
Transfer insider Dean Jones has now reported on a player the Hammers are seemingly looking at as an alternative to the Brazil international.
The player in question is Wolverhampton Wanderers ace Max Kilman, who has made a real name for himself in the English top flight in recent years.
What has Dean Jones said about West Ham and Max Kilman?
Jones wrote on GiveMeSport: “If the deal can not be saved, then it is likely West Ham will try to salvage their trip to Brazil by tying up another deal there, and there are various ones they have been looking into.
“But more importantly than that I would expect them to quickly find a new defensive target, because they do not want Julen Lopetegui thinking this pattern is going to continue.
“They want to show him very quickly that he has backing and that signings will be coming in, but of course the terms around any deal need to suit Tim Steidten, and it sounds like this particular Bruno one is not doing that.
“One deal to look out for might be Max Kilman at Wolves. He’s more expensive than Bruno and a pretty hard get, but I have been told recently that they like him, along with a few other teams.”
Ben Jacobs said on X back in January that signing Kilman would take around £45million.
What could West Ham expect from Max Kilman?
Max Kilman has proven himself in the Premier League in recent years, both as a defender and as Wolves’ captain.
The 27-year-old is not only superb with the ball at his feet, but his defending has improved to the point he has been deemed one of the best in the league in terms of one-v-ones.
Andy Thompson said on Wolves Weekly Matchday Live Extra following the loss to Arsenal in April: “He’s probably one of the best in the Premier League one-vs-one defending.
“He just seems to get better every time we see him. He’s comfortable on the ball. he heads it, he’ll pass it, he challenges for things, he’s strong, he’s a good player and he’s getting better.”