There could be a real rush of summer transfer activity at West Ham United as they look to build new manager Julen Lopetegui’s squad.
The Spaniard has stepped into David Moyes’ shoes at the London Stadium, tasked with not only strengthening the club’s position as a top-flight club in the Premier League but also bringing modernity and sophistication to the style of play on offer.
Doing so will require a number of personnel, both internal and external, as West Ham look to reshape and expand what was already a good squad before the summer exits of Angelo Ogbonna, Ben Johnson, Divin Mubama and Said Benrahma.
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Lopetegui’s desire to reunite with Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Max Kilman has been well documented and it appears that West Ham may be able to secure a deal along those lines.
The first approach was rejected by Wolves, who would understandably want to keep the 27-year-old, but West Ham’s transfer budget has plenty of room to make a deal. A total fee of £40m has been agreed between the two clubs and an agreement on personal terms is expected to be formalised.
Former club Maidenhead United must pay 10% due to a sell-on clause negotiated when he joined Wolves – a huge return for the non-league club.
In terms of what West Ham will find, Kilman is strong in the air and very quick on the ground, but his greatest strength is undoubtedly his ability on the ball. Cool, composed and confident with both feet – thanks to his days playing for the England futsal team – he is excellent at the back and his ability to get forward with the ball could give West Ham the ability to switch to a back three. .
Most of the West Ham fans will be sweating when they read the news that Lucas Paqueta is wanted in his country of Brazil.
Paqueta is yet to find out his fate in relation to an alleged breach of the FA’s betting rules – he is accused of being involved in spot-fixing in relation to the four yellow cards he received during his time at West Ham.
The uncertainty may have prompted Flamengo to look to loan Paqueta away from West Ham, although the club insist they have no intention of letting him go. Whether the 26-year-old is free to continue his career in the Premier League remains to be seen.
West Ham moved for long-term Manchester United target Jean-Clair Todibo before agreeing terms with Wolves for Kilman, so it remains to be seen whether they will make another bid for the Nice defender.
A bid of £25m was rejected by the Ligue 1 side and it is not known if the Hammers will return with a second offer.
Todibo would represent an improvement on West Ham’s current options and signing a second back of such quality would be a real statement of intent. It could also signal the end of the road for Kurt Zouma or Nayef Aguerd, both of whom have attracted interest from abroad and could be allowed to leave.
Vladimir Coufal is now West Ham’s only known defender following the departure of Ben Johnson to Ipswich Town, meaning a move for Southampton starlet Kyle Walker-Peters sounds like smart business.
Walker-Peters could end up being involved in some sort of swap deal involving midfielder Flynn Downes, who has been instrumental in Southampton’s return to the Premier League on loan, but West Ham are yet to agree terms despite ongoing negotiations.
Comfortable at full-back and wing-back on both sides, Walker-Peters will give West Ham great tactical flexibility and certainly provide the competition for positions Lopetegui is looking for as he bids to build on the foundations laid by David Moyes.
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