West Ham’s new manager, Julen Lopetegui, is in constant touch with sporting director Tim Steidten. Steidten, who is handling the transfer activities, was seen on numerous calls during the team’s open training session in Jacksonville, Florida.
Despite this, Lopetegui remains focused on the squad he currently has.
When asked about potential new signings, including the club’s interest in Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, Lopetegui kept his focus on his existing players.
West Ham had a £32 million bid, including academy player Lewis Orford, turned down earlier this week, but Duran remains a key target.
Lopetegui stated, “Steidten is here with us and we talk every day, but our concentration must be on the players we have.”
Upcoming Florida Fixtures
West Ham is set to play two matches in Florida as part of the inaugural Stateside Cup.
They’ll face Lopetegui’s former club, Wolves, on Saturday, followed by a game against Crystal Palace in Tampa the following weekend.
Lopetegui, who left Wolves before last season due to disagreements over the transfer budget, expressed no regrets about his time there.
He noted, “I look forward to reconnecting with familiar faces, but right now, my focus is on preparing West Ham for the season.”
Adapting to a New Style
Taking over from David Moyes, Lopetegui is eager to implement his style of play.
He feels that the players are adjusting well to his new approach. With several key players returning from international duty, Lopetegui is optimistic about the team’s progress. “Pre-season is a critical time for us to integrate our style of play,” he explained.
“We are working hard every day to be ready for the season ahead.”
Preparing for the Season
The team’s pre-season preparations are in full swing, with Lopetegui emphasizing the importance of making the most out of this period.
“We’re using every training session and game to learn more about ourselves and ensure we’re ready when the season kicks off,” he said.