Lopetegui, 57, is focusing on acquiring a new central defender after West Ham’s defense conceded 74 goals in the Premier League last season. Earlier this month, a deal for Fabricio Bruno fell through at the last moment, leaving the Hammers in search of alternatives.
Max Kilman has been a long-standing target for West Ham, despite his £90k-a-week wage demands posing a challenge. Lopetegui, familiar with Kilman from his time at Molineux, sees him as a top priority. West Ham has made an initial bid of £25 million for the Wolves defender, but reports from the Telegraph suggest they will need to increase their offer by another £20 million to secure the transfer.
Kilman is highly regarded, and his signing would significantly bolster West Ham’s defense. While there are concerns about whether he is worth £45 million, sometimes paying a premium is necessary to obtain the right talent.
Currently, Lucas Paqueta remains West Ham’s most expensive signing at £50 million. The Brazilian’s performance has been impressive, but his future is uncertain due to potential betting breaches. Regardless, Lopetegui is determined to bring Kilman to London Stadium, believing he would be a valuable addition to the squad.
