West Ham have made the first move in their attempt to sign Maximilian Kilman, Julen Lopetegui’s top target in central defence, but will have to improve on their opening offer of £25m for the Wolves captain.
Lopetegui is keen to reinforce his defence and it is likely that West Ham will not drop their interest in Kilman. It is believed that Wolves will struggle to hold on to the defender if they receive an offer of about £45m.
Kilman is a key player for Gary O’Neil and Wolves are desperate not to be forced into a sale. But their financial position is believed to be challenging and concerns over the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules could have to be taken into account.
Lopetegui, who has replaced David Moyes at the London Stadium, managed Kilman at Wolves and rates him highly. West Ham were poor defensively in this past season and there are doubts over the fitness of Kurt Zouma. Konstantinos Mavropanos has not convinced since joining from Stuttgart last August and Nayef Aguerd will be allowed to leave if an offer arrives for the Moroccan. Angelo Ogbonna has been released.
West Ham have also tracked the Hull defender Jacob Greaves and like the Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori. It is thought West Ham would be an unlikely destination for Calafiori, who is representing Italy at Euro 2024.
Lopetegui is looking to make big changes and wants at least six signings. However West Ham’s budget has been complicated by doubts over Lucas Paquetá, who has been charged with a breach of the Football Association’s betting rules. West Ham believed that Manchester City were going to trigger Paquetá’s £85m release clause. The Brazilian has denied wrongdoing.