West Ham United have officially responded to circulating reports suggesting that club captain Max Kilman could be sold to Crystal Palace in the upcoming January transfer window. The Hammers have made their stance clear — Kilman is not for sale, and the club has no intention of entertaining offers for the defender, who only joined them this past summer.
The rumors began spreading earlier this week after several sources claimed that Crystal Palace were monitoring Kilman’s situation closely, with a view to strengthening their defense in January. Palace manager Oliver Glasner is said to be a long-time admirer of the 27-year-old centre-back, having briefly worked with him during his time at Wolves. Reports hinted that Palace could make a bid in the region of £40 million, hoping to test West Ham’s resolve.
However, insiders from West Ham have now dismissed those claims as completely unfounded. A club spokesperson clarified that the Hammers see Kilman as a key figure in their defensive setup and a long-term leader at the club. The defender was signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer for a reported £40 million, one of the club’s biggest defensive investments in recent years, following the recommendation of manager Julen Lopetegui.
Since joining, Kilman has settled quickly at the London Stadium, forming a solid partnership with Kurt Zouma at the heart of defense. His calmness on the ball, aerial presence, and ability to read the game have earned praise from both fans and pundits. He was even handed the captain’s armband in several matches, underscoring his growing influence in the squad.
Sources close to West Ham revealed that Lopetegui personally vetoed the idea of any January exit, emphasizing that selling Kilman halfway through the season would “completely disrupt the team’s balance.” The manager reportedly considers Kilman a “defensive cornerstone” and believes his leadership qualities will be vital as the Hammers push for a top-six Premier League finish and a strong run in Europe.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are known to be in the market for defensive reinforcements following injuries to Marc Guéhi and Joachim Andersen. While the Eagles have been linked with several centre-backs, including Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo and Nottingham Forest’s Murillo, Kilman’s name emerged as an ambitious target. Yet, with West Ham’s swift response, it appears that any potential deal is already off the table.
A report from The Athletic also suggested that Kilman himself is fully committed to West Ham and has no interest in leaving just months after joining. The defender is said to be enjoying his football in London and has built a strong relationship with Lopetegui and his teammates.
In short, West Ham have drawn a firm line in the sand. The club’s message is clear — Max Kilman is staying put. As one insider put it, “West Ham didn’t sign him for £40 million just to sell him six months later. He’s part of the project, not a trade piece.”
With that statement, the speculation linking Kilman to Crystal Palace seems to have been swiftly shut down. For now, the focus remains on maintaining West Ham’s impressive defensive stability — with Max Kilman right at the heart of it.
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