Daily Mail football reporter Adrian Kajumba has revealed that an offer for Josh Cullen by Anderlecht has been accepted by West Ham and the player is due in Belgium today to finalise a permanent move to the Belgian First Division
The Essex-born central Hammers midfielder played his junior football for Rayleigh Boys joined the West Ham Academy when he was nine years old.
A Dylan Tombides Award winner in 2014, the Republic of Ireland U21 captain has also enjoyed loan spells with Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic.
He was called up by Ireland at senior level for the first time after impressing Mick McCarthy while playing for the Addicks in March 2019, before inspiring the south London side to promotion two months later.
His contract with the Hammers expires at the end of June next year. At 24 years of age, many would argue he should have made his breakthrough by now.
While he played well in the Carabo Cup before his COVID positive test he is not thought to be in Moyes long term plans and the manager will not stand in his way.
Claret and Hugh understand the proposed transfer fee is less than £1m because of the length of Cullen’s contract. Anderlecht is also thought to be considering taking Jack Wilshere subject to a deal to subsidise his wages.
Less than £1 mil!?
If this goes through, it’s shocking. I’d rather see Cullen on the bench and Noble sold to Anderlecht.
Cullen is much better cover for the first team than MN. We are winning at the moment because everyone is grafting and playing with a smile on their face. With Noble we are flat, lethargic and look like we don’t give a damn. I think Cullen should be give a chance when a change has to be made.
Perhaps Cullen doesn’t want to be a perpetual sub/back up. He’s 24 and maybe wants regular first team football. I’d prefer him to stay but its his career. Good luck to him wherever he ends up.
Shame – Cullen would be useful to come on with his energy in midfield but good luck to Josh for the future.
Gutted for him, really. A West Ham lad through and through. I guess if the manager doesn’t deem you good enough than that’s that but as many fans have mentioned lately, surely he is better to bring on than Noble to see games out. He’s got more energy, tenacity and drive (he is nearly 10 years younger to be fair to Noble).
I hope he’s successful, best of luck to him
That’s a tough one, he certainly deserves to be playing first team football, and I can’t see him getting in the side at the moment and/or probably in the future. I think he’s better than just being cover for us and needs to get his career going. Worth much more than a million. Good luck Josh
Big mistake letting him go.would big a huge asset to us.we need a bit of depth in the squad and he is west ham through and through so would give his all for the club.another stupid bit of business by the hierarchy
Suppose paying someone who does not figure in your plans makes no sense but I feel he could have played a part this season Noble helped keep us up last year but personally I have thought for some time that he offers less than Cullen, Masuaku or Soucek so letting go of a 24 year old instead of a 34 year old seems upside down thinking. Thought Coufal was excellent today & Cresswell seems better at left B.B
Bitterly disappointed to see this .
Like others have said Noble has had his day . Cullen IMO would offer far more in closing out games .
He never got a break – typified by getting Covid just before the Hull game where he could have given an indication of his value to the club .
I hope he plays regularly for Anderlecht and wish him well .
I think, unless there is another midfielder coming in, this could be a mistake.
I’d like to see Cullen as the backup for Rice/Soucek. Otherwise, you’re looking at Noble, Snodgrass, Wilshere stepping into that spot if there is an injury or some close games that need rotation.
Wilshere can’t be relied on and looks like he might be going anyway, and Snodgrass and Noble can both still do a job, but it’d be nice to have someone who can grow into the role, rather than someone fading out of it.
Even though he’s had very limited game time, Cullen has always looked good when he has played.