Major West Ham deal for top target could be very much on if Luton accept offer

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A major West Ham deal for a top Julen Lopetegui target could be very much on if Luton accept an offer reportedly heading their way.

West Ham are focused on signing a striker following the £40m capture of Max Kilman.

But in the background technical director Tim Steidten is working on deals for a host of targets with five more signings wanted at West Ham.

One of the positions Steidten is trying to address for Julen Lopetegui is bringing in a new central defensive partner for Kilman.

The Hammers have been linked with a host of defenders including Lyon’s Jake O’Brien, Hull’s Jacob Greaves, Hellas Verona star Jackson Tchatchoua and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.

But O’Brien could join Everton, Greaves is set for Ipswich, Tchatchoua is wanted by Milan and Juve have entered the running for Todibo.

Prior to signing Kilman, West Ham saw a bid allegedly worth around £30m including add-ons rejected by Nice for Todibo.

Many Hammers fans believed the subsequent signing of Kilman meant Steidten and Lopetegui had moved on from the 24-year-old Frenchman.

Hammers still want Todibo despite Juve interest

Not at all according to reports. Because West Ham still plan to sign Todibo as Kilman’s partner in central defence at the London Stadium.

Lopetegui has reportedly held talks with the former Barcelona flop about joining the Irons.

There was further encouragement when Nice boss Franck Haise conceded Tobido will likely leave amid interest from the Hammers.

Although it has been claimed Todibo would favour a move to Juventus over the east Londoners.

Hammers News understands that West Ham are quietly confident of beating the fallen Italian giants to Todibo, though. Especially as Juve must raise significant funds to have any hope of meeting Nice’s demands.

The Hammers will be hugely encouraged then by news emerging from France that Nice have their Todibo replacement lined up and are planning to try and get a deal done.

And a major West Ham deal for the top target could be very much on if Luton accept an offer for their star.

West Ham deal for Todibo could be on if Luton accept offer

According Foot Mercato INEOS-owned Nice want Luton’s Teden Mengi as their replacement for Todibo.

Mengi impressed despite Luton’s relegation from the Premier League.

That relegation makes his sale all the more likely. And another interesting caveat is that he joined the Hatters from INEOS-owned Manchester United. 

It is claimed Les Aiglons are ‘very interested’ in bringing the England youth international to the Allianz Riviera.

And Luton want around £10m to sell – around a third what Nice plan to sell Todibo for.

So all West Ham eyes will now be trained on what happens at Kenilworth Road.

If Luton green light the Mengi move to Nice it means Todibo is definitely on his way.

Luton are well run financially. And after their big pay day last season, they aren’t necessarily in a position where they have to sell players this summer.

Playing European football with Nice may well appeal to Mengi, though.

West Ham will be hoping he does join Nice sooner rather than later so they can look at getting their own deal struck with the Ligue 1 side for Lopetegui and Steidten’s key target.

Todibo had looked set to join Man United. But INEOS chief and Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly admitted UEFA blocked the move due to strict multi-club ownership rules.

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