West Ham United have been busy on the transfer front in recent weeks and it looks as though they’re only just getting started.
The Hammers have already made two signings, Luis Guilherme joining the Premier League club from Palmeiras and Wes Foderingham arriving on a free transfer.
West Ham have reportedly made a new centre-back a priority, with numerous reports having linked them with Wolves captain Max Kilman.
However, there are other targets. Fabrizio Romano has taken to X with an update on a new defender the Hammers are now looking at.
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West Ham make move for Jake O’Brien
The transfer insider, taking to X, has reported that West Ham have made a move for Lyon centre-back Jake O’Brien.
Romano said the Irishman is a new name on their shortlist and, while Kilman remains in their sights, his £45million price tag complicates things for the Hammers.
Who is West Ham target Jake O’Brien?
Jake O’Brien is a 23-year-old defender who plies his trade for French Ligue 1 side Lyon and represents the Republic of Ireland at international level.
The 6ft 5in powerhouse came through the ranks at Cork City before joining Crystal Palace’s academy in 2021, and took in a number of loan spells while on their books.
Last year, Lyon signed O’Brien for just €1million (£850,000) and, despite initially arriving as a prospect for the future, he quickly became a key player for Les Gones.
He made 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals in Ligue 1 and finishing as the club’s second-top scorer in the league, behind only striker and captain Alexandre Lacazette.
Scouting outlet Total Football Analysis have compared O’Brien’s style of play to that of Stefan de Vrij, Chris Smalling and Virgil van Dijk.
According to L’Equipe, Lyon are looking to raise €100million (£85million) in player sales during the current transfer window, and O’Brien is one of the club’s most bankable assets.
With that in mind, West Ham could certainly fancy their chances of landing O’Brien this summer.