Julen Lopetegui, the former Wolves manager, has reportedly reached a personal agreement with West Ham United. Although the contract has not been officially signed yet, both parties have verbally agreed to the terms.
According to TMW, Lopetegui is expected to sign a two-year deal worth 4 million euros, with additional bonuses. The contract also includes an option for a third year, which will be triggered if West Ham finishes in seventh place or higher in at least one of the two seasons, securing a spot in European competitions.
It is worth noting that any potential extension could begin as early as the first season itself. The negotiation process was not without its challenges, but two weeks ago, Lopetegui had already reached a general agreement with the club.
However, things took an unexpected turn when AC Milan entered the picture. The Italian club held talks with Lopetegui and managed to convince him to accept a lower salary of 3.2 million euros plus bonuses. This decision was also supported by star player Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had worked with Lopetegui during their time at Real Madrid.
Unfortunately for Milan, their plans fell apart due to a backlash from fans. As a result, Lopetegui’s potential move to the Italian club was called off.
In conclusion, while nothing is set in stone yet, it seems that Julen Lopetegui is edging closer to becoming West Ham United’s new manager. The deal is expected to be finalized soon, and fans will be eagerly awaiting the official announcement.
