West Ham United strongly want Jake O’Brien after Max Kilman in ‘interesting’ transfer update
Jake O’Brien is of “strong interest” to West Ham and is likely to be a cheaper option than Jean-Clair Todibo, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
Speaking live on Sky Sports News on 5 July the journalist shared a transfer update off the back of the impending arrival – now confirmed – of Wolves captain Max Kilman for £40million, suggesting that Lyon’s O’Brien and Nice’s Todibo were very much in the equation to follow him in at the London Stadium.
The Hammers have already had a bid worth €30m [£25.4m] for the latter rejected [The Athletic, 3 July], while Sky Sports have reported (6 July) that talks have been held for the former.
Sheth said: “An interesting one is that they’ve got a strong interest in the Lyon central defender Jake O’Brien, Republic of Ireland international as well, probably won’t cost as much as Todibo.
“Those two names definitely two to watch.”
West Ham have bid rejected for Jean-Clair Todibo
Julen Lopetegui will no doubt be delighted to get his former Wolves man and top centre-back target in but is bound to want to add a second, dependent on likely departures.
However, with so much work likely still required in the transfer market, with multiple strikers necessary, further attacking depth, new full-backs, and an apparent focus on a new central midfielder, it is all going to cost.
Todibo may not be extortionately priced but the chance to land another central defender for a comparatively knocked-down price in O’Brien could explain why he is of so much interest.
Tim Steidten has publicly stated that there is money to spend and the summer will be a busy one [Daily Mail, 1 July] so there can be some confidence that various further signings will be made.
But there will still be a limit to the budget so if someone like O’Brien is seen to have the necessary qualities and won’t cost as much as a bigger name then there is no reason not to make him a priority.
In other West Ham news, a big-money attacking duo are now interested in following Kilman in as new Irons players this summer.
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