West Ham could land 'top transfer' target in landmark £40m deal

New West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is set to have an active transfer window and looks to have been handed a huge boost in the pursuit of one of his key targets.

Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Max Kilman is said to be a top transfer target for the Irons this summer and Lopetegui is reportedly a huge fan of the star, having managed him at Molineux. However, any deal was not going to be an easy one to secure given the centre-back’s price tag and his importance to Gary O’Neil’s side.

The most recent reports now indicate that this scenario could change due, to Wolves’ ongoing financial problems meaning they could be forced to sell their most prized assets, with Kilman one of the top contenders.

Former Wolves boss Lopetegui - who left Molineux last August - is keen to help strengthen the defensive depth at the London Stadium and several defenders could be set to arrive in the upcoming transfer window. Brazilian defender Fabricio Bruno has reportedly already agreed terms to move to Stratford but Lopetegui is not done building up a new defensive set-up.

74 goals were conceded in the Premier League 2023/24 season alone and Football Insider also reported that Irons centre-back Kurt Zouma will be told to find a new club over the summer following a poor season for the Hammers captain. Former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie also claimed the new boss could well sell the entire defensive line-up in order to make way for new arrivals.

The departure of Zouma, at least, would make way for Kilman’s arrival and the 27-year-old ex-Marlow star could be signed for £40 million with the Molineux side keen resolve the financial issues suffered as a result of the 2022/23 losses.

The club will likely avoid and Premier League financial charges but they do need to get their books in order as quickly as possible and bidding farewell to the club captain who has made over 150 appearances for the team appears to be the best and most efficient option.