West Ham are among several Premier League clubs keeping tabs on Wolves centre-back Santiago Bueno ahead of the summer window, according to Football Insider. With Wolves' relegation to the Championship already a reality, West Ham find themselves in 17th, just two points ahead of Tottenham, scrambling to avoid the drop themselves. The report from Pete O'Rourke on the Transfer Insider podcast names Brentford and Crystal Palace as the other sides tracking the Uruguayan defender.
Bueno moved to Wolves from Girona on August 31, 2023, for a reported £8.5 million on a five-year deal. This year has been his best at Molineux by quite a bit; his consistent performances during a messy season have clearly put him on the radar of several top-flight teams. WhoScored stats point to tackling and focus as his main assets, though he struggles a bit with passing and in the air.
That makes him a better fit for a high-intensity, pressing team rather than one that sits back and plays long balls. With plenty of Premier League minutes under his belt, Bueno is a dependable, proven option who would cost a fraction of the price of a superstar signing. Since his contract runs until June 2028 at roughly £40,000 a week, Wolves have plenty of bargaining power this summer.
"There'll be a lot of clubs looking at some of the players at Wolves following their relegation from the Premier League. They hope they can lure them away and offer them the chance to stay in the top flight. Bueno's done okay for Wolves this season. He's played more this season than he has since he arrived at Molineux in 2023, and he's impressed.
"There are a lot of Premier League clubs who are keeping tabs on Bueno, you've got the likes of Brentford and Crystal Palace looking at him. West Ham as well, if they can stay up, I'm sure they'd all be interested in Bueno, hoping that with Wolves going down he might be able to be prised away.
"He's Premier League proven, Bueno, as well, so he could be a good fit for any of those clubs looking to strengthen their centre-back options."
LEEDS, ENGLAND – APRIL 18: Santiago Bueno of Wolverhampton Wanderers reacts during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road on April 18, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
To be honest, probably not on his own, but he is the kind of smart, low-risk move that makes sense for a club in transition. West Ham 's defensive numbers this season have been a nightmare. The Hammers are shipping goals and picking up fewer points than they likely should, which suggests issues with both the system and the players themselves.
While Bueno offers stability and reads the game well, his weakness in aerial duels is exactly what teams usually target in Hammers' backline when they play against West Ham. On top of that, the Hammers aren't even sure if they will be in the Premier League for 2026-27 yet. With Spurs closing in, their future isn't entirely in their own hands, making it a tough sell to a player who wants top-tier football.
If West Ham stay up, Bueno is a sensible, budget-friendly addition rather than a total game-changer. He brings depth and a bit of grit, but the club really need a full defensive overhaul, and one player won't fix that. Bueno belongs in the top flight, but West Ham need to get their own house in order before they can convince anyone to join the project.
