New West Ham Manager Julen Lopetegui Tight-Lipped on Potential Signings Amid Pursuit of Aston Villa Striker
West Ham’s new manager, Julen Lopetegui, has refused to comment on potential new signings amidst the club’s pursuit of Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran. The Hammers had a bid of £32 million plus academy product Lewis Orford rejected earlier this week, but Duran remains a top target for the club.
Lopetegui is in daily contact with sporting director Tim Steidten, who is leading on transfers, but the manager insisted his focus is solely on the players currently at his disposal. “He [Steidten] is here with us, and we talk every day, but we have to put our concentration on the players we have here with us,” Lopetegui said.
The West Ham manager is keen to implement a new style of play after taking over from previous boss David Moyes. He believes his players have adapted well to the changes he has already made, and is focused on preparing the team for the upcoming season.
West Ham will face Lopetegui’s former club, Wolves, in a pre-season friendly in Florida on Saturday, followed by a match against Crystal Palace in Tampa next weekend. The Spaniard is looking forward to the encounter, saying, “I had a big feeling about the fans and the players, and for sure, I am looking forward to saying ‘hello’ to familiar faces.”
Despite having a bid rejected for Duran, West Ham remains keen on signing the Aston Villa striker. Lopetegui’s focus, however, is on the players currently at the club, and he is eager to get the entire squad together to start working towards the new season.
The West Ham manager is confident that his team is making progress in pre-season, saying, “Pre-season is going well. We are working hard. It’s time to work very hard to be ready for the season, so we’re trying to take advantage of the time we are here.”
Lopetegui is determined to get his team ready for the start of the season, and is focused on translating his style of play onto the pitch. “We will then have more time to translate the way we play in our work and in our matches,” he said.
With West Ham’s pursuit of Duran ongoing, Lopetegui’s refusal to comment on potential signings has only added to the speculation surrounding the club’s transfer activity. One thing is certain, however – the West Ham manager is focused on getting his team ready for the new season, and is determined to make a positive impact at the club.
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