Wolves expected to accept West Ham’s offer for captain Max Kilman

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Max Kilman of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on August 14, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
By Tom Burrows and Steve Madeley
Jul 4, 2024

Wolverhampton Wanderers are expected to accept West Ham United’s £40million offer for captain Max Kilman.

The Athletic reported that Wolves turned down offers from both West Ham and Newcastle United for the defender, but are now set to accept West Ham’s second improved bid.

The Premier League club previously turned down a €35million (£30m) offer from Napoli last summer.

Advertisement

Kilman, 27, has four years left on the five-year deal he signed in the summer of 2023.

He worked under new West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui during the Spaniard’s 10 months in charge at Wolves during the 2022-23 season. Lopetegui was appointed David Moyes’ West Ham successor in May.

Kilman joined Wolves from National League side Maidenhead United in the summer of 2018. Maidenhead are set to receive around £4m if the move is completed due to the sell-on clause inserted in the deal six years ago. The deal will otherwise represent a profit of almost £36m for Wolves.

The centre-back has made 151 appearances for Wolves, scoring three goals. 

He was named Wolves’ captain in the summer of 2023 following the departure of Ruben Neves.

West Ham have looked to strengthen at centre-back this summer, and The Athletic reported on Wednesday they had seen a €30million (£25.4m, $32.3m) bid for Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo rejected.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Kilman: How FIFA and futsal stopped me playing for Ukraine

(Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Get all-access to exclusive stories.

Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.