West Ham United are progressing in negotiations to sign Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan as Nuno Espirito Santo’s rebuild gathers pace.
The 23-year-old is emerging as one of the club’s most likely early first-team additions of the summer window. Discussions with Hibernian over a transfer fee have intensified, with growing confidence that an agreement can be reached.
West Ham have already completed the underlying business of signing Keiber Lamadrid permanently. But securing Mulligan would feel like a more immediate first-team recruitment move.
That matters because the Hammers need to reshape their midfield before the Championship campaign begins.
Nuno cannot afford a slow, reactive summer. West Ham need energy, depth and players who fit the demands of a long promotion push.
Broad Premier League Interest Accelerates Midfield Search
The push to secure Mulligan comes from a desire to move before the market becomes more competitive.
Mulligan’s performances at Easter Road have drawn regular scouting attention from south of the border. West Ham’s recruitment team now appear keen to avoid a bidding war once rival clubs formalise their summer plans.
ReadWestHam has already covered how Mateus Fernandes’ Tottenham interest has put West Ham’s midfield future back in focus. That wider uncertainty makes the Mulligan pursuit more important.
West Ham cannot wait for one midfield exit to force the next move.
They need to work ahead of the market, especially if Fernandes remains a serious target for Premier League clubs.
Mulligan Profile Fits The Championship Demands
The football logic behind Mulligan is easy to understand.
West Ham’s recruitment staff view him as a player who can inject energy into the midfield unit. His physical ceiling and positional flexibility also make him attractive for a squad that needs more legs.
Mulligan can operate centrally in more advanced areas, but he can also sit deeper when needed. That matters in the Championship, where West Ham will need midfielders who can handle different game states across a demanding season.
ReadWestHam previously covered West Ham’s initial Josh Mulligan enquiry, and the situation now appears to have moved into a more serious phase.
The key difference is timing.
An enquiry in early June was about identifying the market. Progressing talks now would suggest West Ham see Mulligan as a genuine recruitment priority.
West Ham Need Early Recruitment Momentum
West Ham’s rebuild will not be judged on one signing, but early momentum still matters.
The club have already moved to complete Keiber Lamadrid’s permanent transfer, but supporters will want first-team clarity quickly.
Mulligan would not arrive as a headline glamour signing. He would arrive as a practical squad-building move.
That is exactly why the deal makes sense.
West Ham need players who can handle the physical side of the Championship, compete for minutes and give Nuno more tactical options.
Formal negotiations remain ongoing, but the accelerated timeline highlights the club’s intent.
If West Ham can complete the deal before rival interest hardens, Mulligan could become an important early marker in a summer where control matters as much as ambition.
