West Ham United: Stats show Zan Vipotnik deal is now a no-brainer as three-man striker shortlist drawn up
West Ham United should be doing everything they can to secure the signing of Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik after their relegation to the Championship.
The Hammers are expecting a significant turnover of players after they slipped away from the Premier League last weekend, and it could be a totally new-look group who try to battle back next term.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s future has already been settled, and with the Portuguese set to lead the team again in 2026-27, attention now turns towards getting a squad in place that can secure an immediate return to the top flight.
A new striker is a top priority for the boss this summer, with Callum Wilson ageing and Taty Castellanos heavily linked with a move away from the London Stadium already.
West Ham’s pulling power should be second to none in the Championship next term, and with that in mind, they surely have all the necessary tools to lure Vipotnik away from South Wales.
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VISIT THE WEST HAM TRANSFER HUBZan Vipotnik finishing stats should make him West Ham’s top target
Work has already begun for West Ham to find their new number nine, with West Ham Central reporting on their X account (via Swansea Independent) that Vipotnik is one of three names on their striker shortlist.
The East Londoners have been long-term admirers of the 24-year-old Slovenian, and even made an enquiry into his availability ahead of the recent January window, according to GiveMeSport.
| Stats | Zan Vipotnik | Wilson |
| Apps (Starts) | 44 (35) | 32 (11) |
| Goals | 24 | 7 |
| xG | 13.4 | 7.66 |
| Shots on Target per 90 | 1.1 | 1.16 |
| Big Chances Missed per 90 | 0.37 | 0.51 |
| Conversion Rate | 26.4% | 18.4% |
They could now be about to line up another attempt to secure his services this summer, and all the signs point towards it being a hugely positive move.
West Ham have lacked a truly clinical finisher for several years now, and that is exactly what Vipotnik is.
His tally of 24 goals saw him end the year as the Championship’s top scorer, but remarkably, he outscored his xG by almost 10 goals across the league campaign.
He boasts a staggering conversion rate of over 26 per cent, which showcases how deadly he can be in and around the box at this level of football.
Zan Vipotnik is one of three strikers West Ham are interested in.
— Central (@WestHam_Central) May 28, 2026
– @swansea_indy pic.twitter.com/UfdtGEAru5
West Ham’s pursuit of him would have been shrouded in doubts about his ability to adapt to the Premier League had they stayed up, but now that they have gone down, it is surely a no-brainer to get him in.
How much would Vipotnik cost West Ham this summer?
Football Insider revealed back in April that Swansea have placed a £15million price tag on Vipotnik amid interest from Brighton, and that fee will certainly not be out of reach for West Ham this summer.
The Irons are expected to lose several of their key players to the Premier League, but that will almost certainly leave them with a significant amount of money to play with in the market.
It would be a major statement of intent to go out and immediately sign the Championship’s headline name for next term, and the club should be looking to seriously flex their muscles upon their return to the second tier.
The Championship can easily become a graveyard for ex-Premier League clubs if they do not escape quickly, and Nuno’s men will never get a better chance to secure their return than at their first attempt.
With that in mind, they should be going all out to win the race for Vipotnik this summer, as he is as close as it gets to a guarantee of goals at this level.
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