West Ham will sign an unnamed player for £40m in the “next 72 hours”, according to a club spokesman.

Hammers News asked an insider about reports that manager Julen Lopetegui could walk out on the Hammers due to the lack of signings but he said that was not the case:

“Claims Lopetegui could walk out on the club are NOT TRUE. David Sullivan is having dinner with him tonight. We’ll 95 per cent sign a £40m player Lopetegui wants in [the] next 72 hours.”

That’s a bold statement to make considering how transfer negotiations can falter at any stage but there are two potential candidates who could be snapped up before the start of next week.

Max Kilman is Lopetegui’s top target

It is widely known that the Irons boss is keen to reunite with his former player but the Hammers have so far struggled to agree a transfer fee with Wolves.

The Midlands club are said to be holding out for their £45m asking price, but a bid of around £40m could be accepted if additional add-ons are included.

West Ham are expected to go back in for Todibo

It does look as though technical director Tim Steidten is working on two deals concurrently. Reports surfaced yesterday that the Irons had a £25m offer for Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo turned down.

Another bid is, however, likely to be submitted, with some suggestions that players (such as Kurt Zouma or Nayef Aguerd) could be included in the offer for the centre-back, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal.

That would be a more complicated deal to complete in the allotted timeframe, though, which suggests the Kilman deal is the one that the spokesman is referring to.

Fans may want to keep an eye on developments over the coming days as it does seem as if the club are gearing up to add another name to Lopetegui’s squad.

Find out who is in West Ham’s first-team squad for 2024/2025 season here