If West Ham United had any plans of making a summer move for Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik, well, the challenge facing the Premier League battlers has just got a whole lot harder.
Hammers News were informed towards the end of 2025 that Vipotnik had been recommended by Max Hahn; West Ham United’s head of scouting.
Hahn, brought to the London Stadium by Tim Steidten, played a key role in the signings of El Hadji Malick Diouf and Mateus Fernandes. It is understood that he pushed Slovenia sharpshooter Zan Vipotnik as his preferred striker signing for the January window, only for the Hammers to spend in excess of £40 million on Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe instead.
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A graphic showing Ally McCoist's quotes on Pablo Felipe during West Ham's FA Cup game against Brentford reading: "He's one these guys that the fans will enjoy watching because he's all effort."
Credit; Getty Images/Ben STANSALL / AFP
Now, as revealed by the official Swansea City website, Vipotnik appears to have committed his immediate future to the Championship club.
Zan Vipotnik signs Swansea City deal amid West Ham United interest
Vipotnik has extended his contract until the summer of 2030.
“I am really pleased to have signed a new contract with Swansea City,” says the former Bordeaux frontman. “I am really enjoying my football here, the support I have from the coaching staff, my teammates and supporters is incredible.
Zan Vipotnik celebrates during Swansea City v Wrexham AFC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
“I want to make sure we finish the season as strongly as possible, and I hope I can continue to help the team.”
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Of course, the more cynical Swansea fans may feel that this is merely an attempt to protect the value of a prized asset. Vitor Matos’ side are likely to fall short of a play-off berth. They were eight points adrift heading into the weekend.
There has been no official confirmation of any release clause, but Wales Online claim that Vipotnik was valued at £15 million in January. Swansea will be negotiating from a position of greater strength as the ink dries on that contract extension, but a fee in this region is unlikely to put off those suitors.
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A graphic highlighting the rumour that Callum Wilson has agreed a new one-year contract at West Ham United.
Credit: Getty Images/Rob Newell – CameraSport
Vipotnik could help Hammers move on from Callum Wilson
A bonafide XG monster, Zan Vipotnik is an ‘exceptional’ finisher. The Golden Boot leader has 17 goals from an ‘expected goals’ tally of just eight.
“Zan has enjoyed an excellent season, and his goals have played a big part in the positive results we have enjoyed,” says one-time Liverpool coach Matos.
“This new contract is a deserved reward. We will look to make sure he and the team have a strong end to the season, and we help him to continue to develop as a player.”
Vipotnik could potentially be a long-term Callum Wilson replacement, if West Ham opt against keeping the 34-year-old for another season. Furthermore, while Castellanos and Pablo have both made a positive impression, the two January signings have only two league goals between them.
West Ham still lack a reliable, goalscoring number nine capable of starting three games a week. Vipotnik could be that man, though Swansea will not be bullied into a cut-price sale.
West Ham have reportedly held talks with Armando Gonzalez, too; a similarly prolific, penalty-box poacher who plies his trade for Chivas Guadalajara in Mexico.
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