Max Kilman’s summer transfer to West Ham United looks to be getting closer thanks to Julen Lopetegui.
There will be a significant roster revamp at West Ham under the direction of manager Julen Lopetegui, with a number of new arrivals and departures anticipated.
Kilman, the captain of Wolves, will be the second player the Spaniard brings to the London Stadium after Luis Guilherme and Wes Foderingham.
According to reports, the Hammers manager wants to add six players this summer at the very least, but I believe he needs eight, at the at least.
After the Kilman transaction is completed, Lopetegui still has to sign a top-tier striker, a defensive midfielder, a left winger, a pair of full-backs, and if I’m being picky, another center-back.
However, the big problem that he faces is that he has a transfer budget of just £90 million this summer, excluding player sales.
And with that in mind, the former Wolves boss may well have to sacrifice one of the club’s big money signings…
Julen Lopetegui may have to sacrifice one £30m West Ham player
The Spaniard needs to raise some proper funds this summer, by selling at least one key player.
The original intention was undoubtedly to sell Lucas Paqueta to Manchester City, but that deal appears to have been derailed—at least temporarily—by the Brazilian’s charges for alleged betting offenses.
Lopetegui will now need to turn his attention to a different player who can command a higher salary.
After Kilman’s transfer is finalized, Lopetegui will need to give up one of Kurt Zouma or Nayef Aguerd in order to add another center defender, according to Hammers source Sean Whetstone.
Zouma was signed from Chelsea in 2021 for around £30 million (Daily Mail), whilst Aguerd joined West Ham for the same fee a year later (Sky Sports).
The 29-year-old Frenchman was brilliant for us during his first two years with the club, but he regressed badly last season, certainly from a physical perspective.
Meanwhile, Aguerd, 28, has looked miles off the levels required for Premier League football at times. He doesn’t have the physical capabilities needed to succeed in England’s top flight, and he needs to be moved on as a matter of urgency in my opinion.
in fact, I think West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui should be looking to sell Zouma AND Aguerd this summer.
Kilman will be a significant improvement over Zouma, and Lopetegui now needs to replace Aguerd with a better player. Nehuen Perez and Jacob Greaves of Hull City would both be excellent choices for us.
It remains to be seen, though, if Lopetegui can raise the money needed to sign Kilman in addition to any of those two.
Get related news on
sportchannel.co.uk
Leave a Reply