Max Kilman: Can Wolves keep hold of their star defender?

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be happy to see the back of the 2022/23 season and will be hoping that Julen Lopetegui’s first full season will be one that can get the Midlands club firing once again. If that is to be the case then they need to keep their best players and build a team around them. Lopetegui already has his team in Portugal for pre-season and is putting them through their paces but he will be hoping that his main defender Max Kilman will still be there come the start of the season.

Who is wanting Kilman?

The 26-year-old has impressed for Wolves ever since he was brought into the first-team squad in 2018. Since then there have been various rumours about him joining one of the bigger clubs in the league but nothing materialised.

Lopetegui is a huge fan of Kilman’s and is determined to keep him at the club for as long as possible; his contract runs out in 2026.

However, after a poor season for Wolves, they may find it hard to keep Kilman away from the current Serie A champions.

Napoli are the front runners to sign Kilman this summer but have seen their £30 million bid rejected as they look to cling on to the English man for as long as possible.

Will Napoli get their man?

This is the second summer in a row that Napoli have needed to replace a centre-back. First the departure of Kalidou Koulibaly and now Kim Min-jae who is close to agreeing a deal with Bayern Munich.

Kilman is also well thought of by Napoli and they are not willing to let this transfer matter drop.

If a move to Napoli does happen then he will follow in the similar footsteps of Chris Smalling as both players have risen up from nonleague English football to Serie A; except Kilman has represented his country at futsal!