A journalist has claimed that Julen Lopetegui has made his biggest West Ham decision yet bar none as star is put up for sale.
Julen Lopetegui clearly means business after taking over from David Moyes at West Ham.
It is inevitable that a manager will put a few noses out of joint when he takes over at a new club.
And one thing is for sure, Lopetegui is certainly looking to put his stamp on West Ham and do things his own way.
The Spaniard has made sweeping changes to the first team staff at West Ham.
Eight have departed and Lopetegui has brought in his own backroom team.
The 57-year-old retained fellow Spaniard Xavi Valero as goalkeeper coach while Mark Robson has returned to the Hammers academy.
His next port of call is to make sweeping changes to the West Ham squad.
Working alongside technical director Tim Steidten, Lopetegui is looking to make between six to eight new signings.
Brazilian teenage midfield sensation Luis Guilherme looks set to be the first of those.
Lopetegui prioritises defensive rebuild
High on Lopetegui’s transfer priority list is two new centre-backs.
That was confirmed again by journalist Jacob Steinberg this weekend.
Is it any wonder?
West Ham now have only three senior centre-backs. There are serious concerns over the long-term fitness and availability of one of them, the captain Kurt Zouma, due to longstanding knee issues.
Zouma’s mobility at times last season was nothing short of shocking. His leadership has also been questioned by West Ham fans and Moyes himself before he departed.
The jury is still out on his partner Konstantinos Mavropanos.
And the other, Nayef Aguerd, reportedly wants out and is for sale with Atletico Madrid allegedly in for the inconsistent Moroccan.
All eyes have been on what Lopetegui might decide to do with the West Ham captaincy given the questions marks over Zouma.
Now a journalist claims Lopetegui has made his biggest West Ham decision yet.
Journalist claims Lopetegui has made his biggest decision yet
According to The Mirror’s Darren Witcoop, not only is Zouma being replaced as captain, Lopetegui wants West Ham to sell him this summer.
Witcoop has confirmed West Ham are looking to sell Aguerd. But he also claims Lopetegui wants to see Zouma sold too.
“West Ham have given the green light to Nayef Aguerd’s departure, as part of a defensive shake-up,” Witcoop states in an article in The Sunday Mirror (Page 70).
“The Morocco defender is primed to leave West Ham after two years of his five-year deal.
“Fellow centre-back and lrons skipper Kurt Zouma’s future is also up in the air with Julen Lopetegui’s arrival as boss.
“Former Chelsea star Zouma is sweating over his Hammers future and could be sold. The Frenchman has just one year left on his bumper contract, and West Ham are pushing for bodies to help replace him.”
Zouma call should be no surprise
Given Zouma is the captain, this would undoubtedly be Lopetegui’s biggest Hammers call yet.
But it should be no surprise he is looking to overhaul West Ham’s defence.
The Hammers shipped 74 goals last season – the most ever by the club in the history of the Premier League.
West Ham have been linked with a host of defenders of late.
A move for Flamengo centre-back Fabricio Bruno collapsed late on.
Max Kilman, Vitao, Maxime Esteve, Jacob Greaves and Jake O’Brien are all being linked with a move to West Ham.
Zouma, who cost West Ham £29.5m from Chelsea, is the club’s joint-second highest earner on £125k per week according to Spotrac.
It’s not the only big decision Lopetegui has made either if recent reports are to be believed.
Because he has reportedly decided to sell another star some fans love after just one season.
READ ALSO
West Ham may have just dropped two blatant transfer hints on official site
West Ham now one small step from signing rapid giant
Sudden surprise new twist for West Ham reported in Brazil
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
