Door opens for West Ham to sign Max Kilman upgrade for just £22m, his stats are incredible
With the January transfer window fast approaching, West Ham must improve multiple areas of their squad to avoid relegation in 2025/26.
West Ham are in the market for a new striker as Niclas Fullkrug looks set to leave the London Stadium; meanwhile, the Hammers are looking to bolster a defence that has conceded the second most goals this term (27).
The Premier League strugglers have wasted money on defensive acquisitions in recent years, splashing a combined £76million on Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman.
There is a chance that Kilman could leave West Ham next summer, and the 28-year-old was dropped last time out against Liverpool, signalling that Nuno Espirito Santo perhaps doesn’t rate him as highly as he once did.
West Ham must sign Charlie Cresswell for £22m
Defending set-pieces has been West Ham’s Achilles heel in 2025/26, and they’ve conceded more goals from those situations than any other team.
| Premier League most set-piece goals conceded |
| West Ham – 10 |
| Liverpool – 9 |
| Nottingham Forest – 9 |
| Bournemouth – 9 |
| Leeds United – 7 |
West Ham have been linked with Lecce’s Tiago Gabriel in a bid to resolve that problem, with the 6′ 4″ 20-year-old readily equipped to showcase his incredible height and physicality.
Likewise, Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell would also offer aerial prowess in the heart of their back line, and he’s someone they tried to sign in the summer.
According to reports, West Ham offered £13m for Cresswell, although David Sullivan was unwilling to pay £4m to trigger the French side’s asking price.
Now, according to The Athletic, the former Leeds United stopper remains firmly on their radar ahead of January, with Toulouse increasing their valuation to €25m (£22m), and the Hammers should trigger it.
Cresswell is an upgrade on Max Kilman
West Ham have arguably lacked an aerially dominant defender at the back since Craig Dawson joined Wolves in January 2023.
But almost three years on, Cresswell could fill the void left behind by Dawson by slotting perfectly into Nuno’s back line with his 6′ 3″ frame.
As highlighted by FBref, the Englishman ranks in the top three per cent of defenders across Europe for aerials won in the past year, while also offering a threat at the other end of the pitch.
Cresswell places in the top one per cent for non-penalty goals, touches in the attacking penalty box and shots per 90.
Kilman, on the other hand, is in the bottom 17 per cent for non-penalty goals and top nine per cent for aerials won, showing why the Toulouse man would be an instant upgrade.