West Ham United have been in discussions with their Premier League rivals Wolves about acquiring their captain, Max Kilman, but it might require a £50 million offer to persuade Wolves to sell.
Following the collapse of negotiations for Flamengo defender Fabricio Bruno, who requested an exorbitant £100,000-a-week salary, West Ham is now seeking a domestic option to address their defensive needs.
Only the relegated teams Burnley, Luton Town, and Sheffield United conceded more than West Ham’s 74 goals in the 2023/24 Premier League season. This statistic partly explains why The Hammers have renewed their interest in Max Kilman, who has emerged as one of the league’s more dependable center-backs at Wolves.
According to HITC, Kilman has been on West Ham’s radar since last year. However, the 27-year-old signed a long-term contract at that time, allowing Wolverhampton Wanderers to demand a significant fee in the upcoming months.
West Ham have initiated talks to sign Wolves captain Max Kilman. HITC reports that Wolves will consider offers only if they are around £50 million. Gary O’Neil’s team is not in a hurry to sell their 6ft 4in captain, unlike their neighbors Aston Villa, as they are not under pressure to sell for Profit and Sustainability reasons.
In the past, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea, along with Villa and Newcastle, have shown interest in Kilman, but all three clubs seem to have moved on to other targets.
Kilman, born in Chelsea and having spent time in Fulham’s academy, experienced a mixed run of form in the latter part of last season. Manchester United, for example, is now pursuing Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite instead.
Despite this, O’Neil has praised Kilman, who was previously the subject of a £30 million bid from Napoli when they were still the champions of Italy.
“He’s always available,” O’Neil told Shropshire Live about Kilman, who played in all 38 of Wolves’ 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 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, Max Kilman. HITC reports that West Ham aims to sign at least one new central defender this summer. It is uncertain if Julen Lopetegui’s side will renew their interest in Bruno, having already acquired Brazilian player Luis Guilherme.
Lopetegui was the head coach at Wolves when Kilman played some of his best football in the 2022/23 season.
“It’s been great, I’ve really enjoyed it,” Kilman told the Wolves website 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, meanwhile, might create room for another defensive addition by selling Nayef Aguerd.
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