West Ham 'optimistic' about beating Newcastle to signing of 27-year-old PL club captain

West Ham United and Newcastle United are set to go head-to-head in a transfer battle this summer with the Hammers fancying their chances.

Both Newcastle and West Ham have their eye on Wolverhampton Wanderers' captain Max Kilman this summer with the Magpies having already had one bid rejected.

The bid in question was one that had a lot of Newcastle fans confused as it seemed to include fan-favourite, and indeed Eddie Howe-favourite, Elliot Anderson as part of the deal.

Thankfully that bid was knocked back and now Anderson has stated his desire to sign a new contract at his boyhood club.

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West Ham are confident over Max Kilman

The Times are now reporting that West Ham are keen on Kilman too and are feeling 'optimistic' that a deal can be reached.

Newcastle have been linked with plenty of centre-backs this summer already, so sifting through the links to ascertain which ones are more likely, right now, is borderline impossible.

However, the one looks like the Hammers have stolen a march on the Magpies with no report of Newcastle returning with a cash-only bid for Kilman.

Newcastle have plenty of targets in their sights

West Ham had already seen a £30million bid rejected by Wolves before the Magpies went in with their part-exchange offer, but it looks like the London club could be the most likely of the two to try again.

Newcastle have Riccardo Calafiori and Federico Gatti in their sights too, as well as Dean Huijsen, but all of those potential deals come with their own complications.

One thing is for certain, and that's Newcastle are definitely in the market for another new centre-back to join Lloyd Kelly.