Max Kilman in line to be new West Ham United captain as Kurt Zouma heads for transfer exit
Max Kilman could be made the new West Ham captain by Julen Lopetegui as Kurt Zouma looks set to leave, according to talkSPORT.
Alex Crook reported via the outlet’s website on 6 August that the club will “soon” name a new skipper with the Frenchman looking “surplus to requirements” at the London Stadium amid doubts over his knee.
Tim Steidten is looking to move him on and even if he stays he likely won’t start often since Kilman’s £40million arrival from Wolves.
And the former Wolves captain could now take Zouma’s armband as well as his place in the XI, with Jarrod Bowen another potential option.
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A new arrival immediately being elevated to the captaincy can appear premature but it is not uncommon and the rest of the squad will surely accept it if Kilman has shown he is the right character.
His history with Lopetegui makes it much less surprising, especially when Tim Steidten agreed a big-money deal to reunite the pair, and the manager must be confident in his ability to lead.
Zouma is nearing an exit to the UAE as Shabab Al-Ahli are said to be leading the race for the former Chelsea man [Santi Aouna, 6 August].
World Cup-winner Mats Hummels has emerged as a candidate to replace him on a free transfer after his exit from Borussia Dortmund [Florian Plettenberg, 6 August], but a big-money bid for Liverpool’s Joe Gomez appears to be off the table [Sean Whetstone, 7 August].
Bowen would be a popular choice among supporters and he is said to have already stepped into a more prominent role behind the scenes since Declan Rice left [i News, 9 March].
But it would be no surprise if Lopetegui wanted a man he was already familiar with and intent on bringing in for the new era at the London Stadium so Kilman’s signing could now prove to be doubly significant.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are expected to complete a deal to sign a long-pursued Premier League ace.
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