= EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
West Ham United have held talks with Premier League rivals Wolves about their captain Max Kilman but it could take a bid of £50 million to convince the Molineux outfit to cash in.
After discussions over a deal for Fabricio Bruno broke down – the Flamengo defender demanding an eye-watering wage of £100,000-a-week – West Ham United are now looking closer to home for a solution to their defensive issues.
Only the relegated trio of Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United conceded more than West Ham’s 74 goals in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign. That goes some way to explaining why The Hammers have re-kindled their interest in Max Kilman, who has blossomed into one of the top-flight’s more reliable centre-halves in Old Gold.
Kilman, HITC understands, has been on West Ham’s target since last year. The 27-year-old opted to put pen to paper on a new long-contract at the time, however, meaning Wolverhampton Wanderers will be able to demand a considerable sum over the coming months.
West Ham open talks for Wolves captain Max Kilman
HITC have been told that, while West Ham have opened talks, Wolves will only listen to offers if any bid arrives in the region of £50 million. Gary O’Neil’s side are in no rush to sell their 6ft 4ins skipper either, insisting that they – unlike neighbours Aston Villa – are not under any pressure to cash for Profit and Sustainability reasons.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea have all looked at Kilman in the past – alongside Villa and Newcastle – but all three appear to have shifted their focus elsewhere.
Kilman, who was actually born in Chelsea and spent time in Fulham’s academy, endured a rather mixed run of form in the second half of last term. United, for instance, are now going for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite instead.
O’Neil has, however, been full of praise for a man who was the subject of a £30 million bid from Napoli when they were still the champions of Italy.
“He’s always available,” O’Neil tells the Shropshire Live of a man who played every one of Wolves’ 38 Premier League games in 2023/24. “He happily plays on the right even though he probably would be more comfortable on the left. He puts himself out there all the time.
“He’s developed a lot as captain and as a footballer.
“We can still make some improvements in him defensively and on the ball, but he’s in a great place and his trajectory is going in the right way. When I came in I felt he could do with being a bit sharper fitness-wise but I can’t remember the last time I looked at him and felt that.
“Every time I look at him now he looks ready. If there’s a race in behind our defence I’m delighted when it’s Max because physically he’s very good. I’m pleased, hopefully we can keep him fit, and he’s an important member of the group.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers hope to keep their skipper
HITC have been told that West Ham want to sign at least one new central defender this summer. It remains to be seen if Julen Lopetegui’s side will look to reignite their interest in Bruno, having already snapped up one Brazilian in Luis Guilherme.
Interestingly, Lopetegui was the head coach at Wolves when Kilman played arguably the best football of his top-flight career in 2022/23.
“It’s been great, I’ve really enjoyed it,” Kilman told the Wolves website when asked about playing under the former Sevilla, Real Madrid and Spain boss.
“(Lopetegui) has really made a difference. But it’s not just him, it’s also his staff.”
West Ham, we understand, could open up space for another defensive addition by cashing in on Nayef Aguerd.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
