Danny Ings to Wolves update as West Ham United target Max Kilman transfer to replace Nayef Aguerd
Wolves interest in Danny Ings could help West Ham do a deal to sign £40million-rated Max Kilman from Molineux, according to The Sun.
The paper reported on 8 January that a move for the 26-year-old centre-back would be pursued if Nayef Aguerd is sold as the Irons looks to raise funds for January business with the Moroccan available for a transfer.
But it is suggested that in the event of Aguerd leaving, amid reported interest from Saudi Arabia, an Ings exit to Wolves could help facilitate the “costly” arrival of Kilman in the opposite direction.
Ings has struggled since his arrival at the London Stadium 12 months ago and has only scored three times in 40 appearances.
In defence West Ham have already let Thilo Kehrer depart on a loan-to-buy move to AS Monaco this month but, as with elsewhere in the squad, need to raise cash for signings by letting current players go.
One in, two out
Since it appears that West Ham have decided the £30m signing [BBC Sport] of Aguerd hasn’t worked out as hoped then it would clearly be beneficial if a big-money bid arrived from the Saudi Pro League.
The problem is that since the major rush in the summer such offers for European-based players have died down significantly, so whether the club would be able to make their money back is open to question.
Should he go then Kilman appears to be a solid alternative, having become a key man for Wolves in the past three seasons and possessing plenty of Premier League experience.
David Moyes values that in a transfer target, yet Ings’ failure to establish himself as a viable alternative to Michail Antonio at the London Stadium proves that it doesn’t always mean success.
The former Burnley, Liverpool, Southampton and Aston Villa striker would be a prime candidate to shift if Wolves follow through on their interest, and if it could help the club land Kilman it would be all the more beneficial.
But with Antonio out for a number of weeks and even stand-in striker Jarrod Bowen hurt in the FA Cup over the weekend it could derail plans [Daily Mail, 8 January].
Ings looked to be on the way out at the end of the summer window but a move never happened as a deadline day fixture at Luton Town helped complicate the situation, so a repeat thanks to an injury crisis would be a major frustration.
Moyes clearly wants reinforcements in a number of areas but has a squad filled with unwanted incumbents he has to shift first, so looks to be stuck waiting for offers to arrive.
In other West Ham news, a “leading” Irons target is “keen” on a Premier League switch after talks over a January deal.