Bid “accepted” as West Ham close in on £40m Lopetegui favourite

West Ham‘s improved £40m offer Wolves captain Max Kilman has been accepted, according to Sky Sports.

The Hammers have had two previous bids for the centre-back rejected, the first thought to be in the region of £25m and the second believed to have included a player in exchange.

But an improved offer that meets Wolves’ original valuation of Kilman has now been accepted by the Premier League club.

Notorious transfer insider, Fabrizio Romano, has also reported that personal terms had already been agreed between the player and West Ham weeks ago, with Lopetegui making a reunion with his former captain a priority this summer.

That suggests this deal could be sealed within the next few days, with Kilman set to become the new boss’ third summer signing since replacing David Moyes, after Luis Guilherme and Wes Foderingham.

West Ham hope for O’Brien or Todibo after Kilman

Meanwhile, Sky Sports are also reporting that the Hammers in are talks with Lyon over the signature of Republic of Ireland international centre-back Jake O’Brien, while Nice have rejected a £25.4m offer for defender Jean-Clair Todibo.

It certainly appears Lopetegui has identified the centre of defence as a key area that needs improvement this summer.

With Angelo Ogbonna being released, Nayef Aguerd being increasingly linked with a move away and question marks surrounding Kurt Zouma’s long term fitness, it’s no real surprise the Spaniard could be looking to make at least two signings in this position before the end of the summer window.