West Ham have double summer transfer priority with new Max Kilman bid expected

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Evening Standard

·27 juin 2024

West Ham have double summer transfer priority with new Max Kilman bid expected

New Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui wants to strengthen both in defence and up front with a new No9 targeted

West Ham remain interested in signing Watford midfielder Ismael Kone but are determined to prioritise arrivals at centre-back and in the forward line.

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Kone, who made 46 appearances for the Hornets across all competitions last term, is currently on international duty at the Copa America with Canada and has also attracted interest from Marseille and Roma.

While keen on the 22-year-old, the Hammers are well stocked in central midfield and new boss Julen Lopetegui has more pressing needs elsewhere, particularly in defence.

Angelo Ogbonna’s exit at the end of his contract and uncertainty over the futures of Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd have made centre-back a priority position and West Ham are expected to return with an improved offer for Wolves captain Max Kilman after seeing an initial £25million bid rejected last week.

A new right-back is also high on the shopping list, with Ben Johnson’s free agent move to Ipswich set to be confirmed next week.

Up front, Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten are determined to fix a long-standing issue by signing a new No9, with former manager David Moyes having relied on 34-year-old Michail Antonio and winger Jarrod Bowen for much of last season.