JUST IN : West Ham Transfer Update: £40m Kilman Deal, Paqueta Loan Surprise, Todibo Pursuit, Walker-Peters Interest

The Spaniard has stepped into David Moyes’ shoes at London Stadium, aiming not only to maintain West Ham United’s status as a top-half Premier League club but also to introduce a modern and sophisticated style of play.

Achieving this will necessitate a significant turnover of personnel, with both incoming and outgoing transfers, as West Ham seeks to reshape and bolster what was already a fairly thin squad. The summer exits of Angelo Ogbonna, Ben Johnson, Divin Mubama, and Said Benrahma have left gaps that need to be filled.

Here’s the latest on the 2023 Conference League winners’ transfer activity.

Lopetegui’s interest in reuniting with Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Max Kilman has been widely reported, and it appears West Ham may finalize a deal soon. An initial approach was rejected by Wolves, who are keen to retain the 27-year-old, but West Ham’s transfer budget seems sufficient to secure the transfer. A £40m total package has been agreed between the two clubs, and personal terms are expected to be a formality. Kilman’s former club, Maidenhead United, stands to benefit from a 10% sell-on clause from his move to Wolves.

Kilman brings aerial strength and speed, but his primary asset is his ball-playing ability. His experience with England’s futsal team has made him composed and confident with both feet, enabling him to play out from the back effectively. His presence could allow West Ham to transition to a back three formation.

West Ham fans might be concerned by news that Lucas Paqueta is attracting interest from his homeland, Brazil. Paqueta’s situation is complicated by allegations of breaching the FA’s betting regulations, specifically related to four yellow cards he received. This uncertainty may have prompted Flamengo to consider a loan move for him, although West Ham insists they have no plans to let him leave. Paqueta’s future in the Premier League remains uncertain pending the resolution of these allegations.

West Ham also pursued long-term Manchester United target Jean-Clair Todibo before agreeing on a deal for Kilman. A £25m bid for the Nice center-back was rejected, and it is unclear if the Hammers will return with a higher offer. Signing Todibo would significantly enhance West Ham’s defensive options and signal strong ambitions. It could also lead to the departure of either Kurt Zouma or Nayef Aguerd, both of whom have attracted overseas interest.

With Ben Johnson moving to Ipswich Town, Vladimir Coufal is currently West Ham’s only recognized right-back. This makes a potential move for versatile Southampton star Kyle Walker-Peters a sensible option. Walker-Peters could be involved in a swap deal with midfielder Flynn Downes, who played a key role in Southampton’s return to the Premier League on loan. However, West Ham has yet to agree on terms despite ongoing discussions.

Walker-Peters’ ability to play as a full-back and wing-back on both sides would provide West Ham with greater tactical flexibility and enhance competition for places, aligning with Lopetegui’s vision for building on David Moyes’ foundations.

In summary, West Ham United is gearing up for a busy summer transfer window under new head coach Julen Lopetegui. The club is actively pursuing key targets to reinforce their squad, aiming to introduce a modern style of play while maintaining their competitive edge in the Premier League. With significant changes expected both in terms of arrivals and departures, the Hammers are poised for an exciting period of transformation.