West Ham United seem to be going all out to sign a top-class Premier League star this summer.
Julen Lopetegui has so much work to do at the London Stadium in the summer transfer window, and it could be argued that he needs to strengthen his West Ham squad in every single department.
The 57-year-old Hammers boss is said to be prioritising the addition of a new central defender this summer, and that’s no surprise at all after our porous defence shipped 74 Premier League goals last season.
Lopetegui almost signed a centre-back earlier this month, when Fabricio Bruno was close to a move to the London Stadium, before he rejected our offer at the very last minute.
And now it’s very clear to see which centre-back is the prime target for the Hammers boss.
Max Kilman is someone who’s been on the West Ham radar for quite some time now, although his £90k-a-week wages are said to be a big obstacle to a potential move to West Ham.
He’d be a great signing for us, but you won’t believe how much the Hammers owners are going to have to up their opening offer for the 27-year-old by, if they really want to bring him to the London Stadium.
Kilman is a top-class performer, so it’s no wonder why Lopetegui wants to sign him. The West Ham boss obviously knows him very well from his time at Molineux as well.
West Ham make bid for Premier League star Max Kilman
Lucas Paqueta remains West Ham’s most expensive signing of all-time at £50 million (BBC).
The Brazilian star has lived up to that fee at times, but whether the price we paid will prove to be money well spent will depend very much on if he gets found guilty of potential betting breaches.
The situation with Paqueta is still very much up in the air. However, what is certain is that Lopetegui wants to sign Kilman this summer.
According to a report from the Telegraph, West Ham have lodged a £25 million bid for the Wolves defender.
However, Lopetegui will have to raise that offer by another £20 million, if he really wants to bring his former player to the London Stadium.
I love Kilman, and I think he’s an exceptional centre-back. However, do I think he’s worth £45 million? The simple answer to that question is no.
West Ham shouldn’t be paying any more than £30-35 million for the Premier League defender in my opinion.
That said, I think that Kilman would definitely improve us, and sometimes you just have to overpay to get the player you want.
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