Vipotnik : West Ham looking to get an early start on top Swansea striker
Thursday, 28th May 2026 08:00 by Keith Haynes
We’ve heard of links between West Ham United and Zan Vipotnik before, but up until this week they have been dismissed. However, we and others have passed this off as journalistic licence by certain ‘experts’ who run paywalls to earn money from their reports.
Through the hard work of those connected to the website we have been told he is one of three strikers that the Hammers are interested in. Their relegation to the Championship has caused some disorientation amongst the club and indeed its fans. Early news we have received is that although there was an awareness of Vipotnik by West Ham in January (which is about the same as they were aware of the location of their ground during the same month) but a massive overhaul to enable new players will take place. From a contact we have had since Armstrong Oko-Flex came to Swansea nearly four years ago we are confident enough to state that the source has been extremely viable since then.
To get to a position where Vipotnik would be an option there are clearly financial reassessments to be done by the Hammers. However, with the football league clearly not applying their own rules in relation to when discussions can take place for players, it could be West Ham are eager to get an early start. Of course there will be massive speculation this summer on the Championship's top scorer last season. And no doubt a host of reports linking him to not only a big club like West Ham but Premier League and top European sides as well.
To clear up the value the Swans allegedly have placed on Vipotik - we reported that there isn’t one, and not even an assessment. Despite that there have been attempts to jump on the Vipi bandwagon with little connection to the club or the appropriate people to speak with.
As we reported some six weeks ago, the business of huge amounts of money is directed by the majority owners of the Swans in the USA. They are businessmen who operate in multi million dollar environments. You just don’t show your hand. Now, nobody knows what price Vipotnik will generate should he leave Swansea City. So, anyone knocking around figures and finances are speculating if not making up these figures.
The other issue, and its potentially more problematic for West Ham is that Vipotnik is as happy as he has ever been living in Swansea. He has a large salary, exceptional in fact, a new contract and his family is very settled in the area. Yes, there’s sums of money that will almost certainly be thrown at him and that may well be attractive. The other issue is West Ham are not a Premier League club any more. That could go against them if they do make a firm approach. And of course if a Premier League club come in you would think, dependent on the club, that’s where he may well end up.
You will find our recent reports on this speculation of interest below.
⚽️ Sensible Zān signs a new deal
⚽️ Vipotnik reports ‘utter nonsense’
⚽️ Read into these false reports
Photograph Swansea Independent archive
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