Sources: Ipswich Town explore deal for West Ham's Max Kilman

Ipswich Town are weighing up a move for West Ham United defender Max Kilman, Football Insider understands.

The newly-promoted Tractor Boys are in the market for a Premier League proven centre-back, and have earmarked the former Wolves captain as a potential signing.

Sources understand that an approach for the player's signature would be for a loan at Portman Road, potentially joining Jacob Greaves and Dara O'Shea in the centre of defence.

Kilman has fallen significantly down the pecking order at the London Stadium, being stuck on the bench for each of the Hammers' final 10 games of the Premier League season.

All signs point towards a departure for the 29-year-old, and he could be given a chance to reignite his career with Gary O'Neil and Ipswich next season.

Wolves fans have also discussed a potential move for their former star this summer following their relegation back down to the Championship.

What has Gary O'Neil previously said about Max Kilman?

O'Neil has only been in charge at Portman Road for a matter of days, but his previous spells in England are already providing Ipswich with an early boost.

When discussing the player's influence at Wolves back in 2023 [TNT Sports], he was very mixed in his thoughts, but was overall positive about Kilman.

“As a character, what he’s done, how hard he works, how desperate he is to train and play even if he’s not quite feeling right, what he brings to the group and the club, he’s very important for us. But I do see a lot of room for improvement for him," he said.

O'Neil is likely to feel exactly the same way should they reunite at Ipswich ahead of next season, given how badly he's fallen down the pecking order at West Ham.

He would, undoubtedly, add some much-needed experience to the squad, but it seems like a risky decision to take given some of his displays in 2025-26.

What should Ipswich Town fans know about the defender?

It is far too easy to focus on the defender's last 12 months from hell, but there are much more interesting facts about him than that.

For example, Kilman is a former England futsal international, and he often credits the sport for improving his close control, composure, and passing under pressure.

His struggles with the Irons has likely been a strange situation for him. Everywhere he's been previously, he's flourished.

Starting at Maidenhead United, he quickly earned his move to Wolves, where he stayed for six seasons, becoming one of the most standout players in the squad, before moving for £40million.