There could be a real hive of summer transfer activity at West Ham United as they look to build out the squad of new head coach Julen Lopetegui.
The Spaniard has jumped into the shoes of David Moyes at London Stadium, tasked with not only reinforcing the club’s status as a top-half Premier League club but also to bring a modern style and sophistication to the style of play on offer.
Doing so will require a turnover of personnel, both in and out, as West Ham look to reshape and expand what was already a pretty threadbare squad prior to the summer exits of Angelo Ogbonna, Ben Johnson, Divin Mubama and Said Benrahma.
Here’s the current rumblings at the 2023 Conference League winners.
Max Kilman
Max Kilman is Wolves’ captain / James Gill – Danehouse/GettyImages
- Status: Bid accepted by Wolves
- Fee: £40m
- Source: Sky Sports
Lopetegui’s desire to reunite with Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Max Kilman has been well documented and it appears West Ham may well get a deal over the line.
An initial approach was rebuffed by Wolves, who understandably would prefer to keep the 27-year-old, but West Ham’s transfer budget has enough wiggle room to get a deal done. A £40m total package is now agreed between the two clubs and agreeing personal terms is expected to be a formality.
Former club Maidenhead United are due 10% because of a sell-on clause negotiated when he joined Wolves – a tremendous return for the non-league club.
In terms of what West Ham will be getting, Kilman is strong in the air and pretty quick on the ground, but his main strength is arguably his ability on the ball. Cool, composed and confident with both feet – owing to his days playing for England’s futsal team – he is very good at playing out from the back and his ability to step forward with the ball could give West Ham the flexibility to switch to a back three.
Lucas Paqueta
Paquetá has been linked with a shock move back to Brazil / Visionhaus/GettyImages
- Status: Interest from Flamengo
- Fee: Loan
- Source: The Athletic
Most West Ham fans will have awoken in a cold sweat reading the news that Lucas Paqueta is wanted back in his homeland from Brazil.
Paqueta is yet to discover his fate in regards to alleged breaches of the FA’s betting regulations – he’s been accused of being complicit in spot-fixing relating to four yellow cards picked up over the course of his West Ham career.
The uncertainty is perhaps what’s persuaded Flamengo to look into loaning Paqueta away from West Ham, though the club maintain they have no intention of letting him leave. Whether or not the 26-year-old is free to continue his career in the Premier League remains to be seen.
Jean-Clair Todibo
West Ham are in the mix for Jean-Clair Todibo / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
- Status: First bid rejected, West Ham considering new offer
- Fee: £25m
- Source: The Guardian
West Ham moved for long-term Manchester United target Jean-Clair Todibo prior to agreeing a deal with Wolves for Kilman, so it remains to be seen whether they will lodge another bid for the Nice centre-back.
A £25m bid was turned down by the Ligue 1 side and it’s not yet known whether the Hammers will return with a second offer.
Todibo would certainly represent an upgrade on West Ham’s current options and a second centre-back signing of such quality would be a real statement of intent. It could also signal the end of the road for either Kurt Zouma or Nayef Aguerd, who have both attracted interest from abroad and could be allowed to leave.
Kyle Walker-Peters
Kyle Walker-Peters is a right-back target / Alex Burstow/GettyImages
- Status: Talks ongoing
- Fee: Swap deal plus cash involving Flynn Downes
- Source: Fabrizio Romano
Vladimir Coufal is now West Ham’s only recognised right-back after Ben Johnson’s departure to Ipswich Town, meaning a move for versatile Southampton star Kyle Walker-Peters sounds like smart business.
Walker-Peters could end up being involved in some kind of swap deal involving midfielder Flynn Downes, who played a key role in Southampton’s return to the Premier League on loan, but West Ham are yet to agree terms despite ongoing dialogue.
Comfortable at full-back and wing-back on both sides, Walker-Peters would give West Ham greater tactical flexibility and certainly provide the competition for places Lopetegui is looking for as he bids to build on the foundations laid by David Moyes.
