The extent to which West Ham United are genuinely interested in signing Club Atletico Independiente defender Kevin Lomonaco has always been something of a mystery.
Did the man himself speak this transfer link into existence? Kevin Lomonaco admitted he would be keen to join West Ham United back in March. That the speculation only appeared to emerge after those comments does not feel like a coincidence.
Yet, West Ham are a team in pursuit of a central defender. Preferably, a right-footed one.
It is no secret that West Ham were desperate to sign CJ Egan-Riley before the former Burnley ace opted to join Marseille instead. Kevin Lomonaco is another who fits the bill.
Particularly as the Hammers plan to ‘reinvent’ Graham Potter’s squad around a core of young, hungry talent brimming with re-sale potential.
Independiente president Nestor Grindetti on Kevin Lomonaco to West Ham United rumours
The Independiente giant is still only 23 years of age.
And after forcing his way into the Argentina squad for the first time – Albiceleste boss Lionel Scaloni appeared to listen after Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero urged a Kevin Lomonaco call-up – his reputation is growing at a pretty considerable pace.
A report out of Argentina claimed that West Ham would make a bid for Kevin Lomonaco at some point in June. With only a few days of the month left, though, that has not happened and doesn’t seem likely to either. Not with West Ham first hoping to raise funds by making a few key sales.
Lomonaco has a £17 million release clause in his contract.
Speaking to Masjaro TV, the president of Independiente admits that there may be a chance of a fresh start for some of the club’s key players.
But Independiente are certainly not encouraging offers. And nor have they received any either, certainly not in Lomonaco’s case.
“If an offer comes that is good for Independiente, and the boy wants to leave, well we will see what we have to do,” Nestor Grindetti explains. “[Apart from full-back Alvaro Angulo], the rest of the guys don’t have any concrete offers.
“I’m not saying that there aren’t people interested. I’m saying that nobody has called me.”
Lomonaco coy on West Ham links as he enjoys Argentina call-up
Grindetti adds that Independiente have no plans to ‘dismantle the team’ which finished seventh in the Argentinian Premier League back in 2024. Furthermore, El Rojo are in a fairly strong financial footing going into the remainder of the summer window.
“Financially, we’ve cleaned up the club and resolved the last remaining issues,” Grindetti explains. “The team is on a very good path. There are high expectations and, while we’re not exactly optimistic, we believe we’ll do very well.”
Independiente have made it clear that Kevin Lomonaco will not leave unless his release clause is paid. A 6ft 5ins, extremely confident ball-playing centre-back, Lomonaco is in the dark regarding those West Ham rumours too.
“Who said that? I don’t know anything,” a bemused Lomonaco said this month, quizzed on those transfer reports while on international duty for the senior Argentina side for the very first time.
“There is so much talk.”
Talk that, by admitting his interest in a move to West Ham all those months ago, Lomonaco must accept his share of the blame for.
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