A star who was named the best signing in Ligue 1 last season is surely West Ham bound after a major transfer update.
It has been nearly three weeks since West Ham signed Max Kilman.
That £40m deal deal took around three weeks of negotiations between the Hammers and Wolves.
So with the new Premier League campaign now just three weeks away, the pressure is on to find Kilman’s new defensive partner.
Julen Lopetegui wants to rip up West Ham’s defence with the exception of Alphonse Areola and Emerson Palmieri.
Kilman is the new first choice West Ham centre-back and another is wanted with a number of targets in mind.
Jean-Clair Todibo was the primary target and the Hammers had a deal accepted by Nice.
But he prefers a move to Juventus.
Other targets include RB Salzburg’s Oumar Solet and Lyon’s Jake O’Brien.
Lopetegui and Steidten hunt for Kilman partner
West Ham are also looking to sign a new right-back with Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui the new prime target.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Kyle Walker-Peters are also targets.
But now a star named the best in Ligue 1 is surely West Ham bound after a major transfer update.
West Ham technical director Tim Steidten is targeting O’Brien after dealing with Lyon for the transfer of Said Benrahma.
Journalist Alan Nixon has previously claimed the chance to move to West Ham and be a Premier League starter could be too good to refuse for 23-year-old O’Brien.
The Athletic’s Adam Leventhal also reported last month that Lyon have been preparing to listen offers for the Irish centre-back.
L’Équipe have also recently confirmed the ex Palace academy defender could be sold as Lyon must raise around £80m in sales.
Now there’s been the first significant development regarding the West Ham target for several weeks.
Star named best in Ligue 1 surely West Ham bound after update
According to Foot Mercato, O’Brien is now set to leave Lyon for a Premier League side after just one season.
Get French Football News named O’Brien the Ligue 1 signing of the season after he was signed for just €1m (£500k) from Palace in 2023 and exceeded all expectations.
Lyon are well aware they stand to make a mammoth return on investment from selling O’Brien.
And West Ham will be encouraged a deal is there to be done after Lyon opted not to start him in their pre-season clash with Bundesliga side St. Pauli this week.
West Ham have been the main club on O’Brien’s tail all summer.
Channels of communication are already wide open between the London Stadium and Lyon. And the French club owe West Ham over £12m – which could come into play in terms of easing the financial burden on both sides of the deal.
Would O’Brien be a good partner for Kilman at West Ham?
O’Brien has all the ingredients to make an excellent partner for Kilman.
His playing style is actually very complementary to those of Kilman, who prefers a more dominant, vocal partner. With his physical attributes and tactical intelligence, Kilman could really thrive.
O’Brien’s solid defensive skills and his ability to read the game make him a valuable asset alongside Kilman, who is known for his composure and technical prowess.
O’Brien’s physicality and aerial ability are standout features. At 6ft 4in, he is a commanding presence in the air, which is crucial in the Premier League.
Kilman’s style is a more refined, ball-playing style, thus creating a balanced defensive duo who tick most boxes. Kilman’s ability to play out from the back would be well-supported by O’Brien’s no-nonsense defending, ensuring that West Ham can effectively manage both the physical and technical aspects of defending.
O’Brien also brings a high level of tactical intelligence and versatility. He is capable of playing in various defensive roles, including as a centre-back in both a back three and a back four. This adaptability is essential for West Ham, as it allows the team to switch formations seamlessly without compromising defensive stability. Lopetegui is keen to have his team become highly adaptable to playing different formations game to game, even mid-game.
Steidten has also highlighted the importance of bringing in players who are versatile, describing it as very important in the modern game.
O’Brien’s understanding of different defensive systems means he can provide cover for Kilman, who might venture forward or engage in more complex passing plays.
Moreover, O’Brien’s work ethic and leadership qualities would enhance the defensive partnership. He is known for his vocal presence on the pitch whereas Kilman received criticism at Wolves for lacking that in his game.
O’Brien is an organiser and his leadership would allow Kilman to focus more on his game, knowing that the Irishman is effectively managing the defensive line.
Together, O’Brien and Kilman could form one of the more formidable defensive partnerships in the Premier League.
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