West Ham United set to reignite Jake O’Brien interest after new David Ornstein transfer update
West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has already made several changes to the Irons’ starting XI in his first few weeks in charge in East London.
The former Real Madrid manager is eager to revamp the backline that struggled under David Moyes at the back end of last season and has already made a start with the signing of Wolves’ Max Kilman.
Although the 27-year-old was a big-money addition, the Irons are understood to be in the market for at least one more defensive recruit and their search may have just narrowed slightly following a new transfer update.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein (7 July), Hull City have granted Jacob Greaves permission to undergo a medical with Ipswich Town ahead of a summer move to Portman Road.
The Hammers were reportedly in the race to secure the 23-year-old’s signature this summer but now appear to have missed out on the defender to the newly promoted Tractor Boys in frustrating circumstances [TEAMtalk, 2 July].
Are West Ham United close to any new signings in the summer transfer window?
With Greaves no longer an option, the Irons will almost certainly have to look to alternatives and that could see them reignite their interest in Lyon centre-back Jake O’Brien in the coming days.
Reports have suggested West Ham are interested in securing the Irish international this summer, but are reluctant to meet Lyon’s £30million asking price and are therefore unlikely to pursue a deal [The Sun, 7 July, page 57].
But with Greaves heading elsewhere and little progress being made in the race for Jean-Clair Todibo, Tim Steidten may well have to cut his losses and find a way to meet the Ligue 1 club’s valuation before someone else swoops in.
O’Brien may not be proven in the Premier League, but he has caught the eye of several big Premier League and European clubs this summer and there is little doubt he could perform in the top flight.
He may be a more expensive option than the Hull City star would have been, but with targets heading elsewhere, O’Brien may be the clearest option available to the Irons.
In other West Ham news, Juventus have now entered the summer transfer race for Todibo amid links with the London Stadium
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