There’s nothing wrong with the odd free agent in the transfer market: West Ham have, according to most pundits and fans, done pretty good business by bringing Kyle Walker Peters in on a ‘free’ signing at the end of his Southampton contract. Generally, a well received addition to the squad.
I’m not quite sure if the same could be said of the possible – just possible at this stage – signing of ‘newly declared’ free agent Josh Brownhill. The former Burnley captain has some excellent stats and achievements in his five and a half years with the Clarets but divides opinion as to his age and suitability for Graham Potter’s West Ham project.
IF, as detractors feel will surely be the case, he swaps the Clarets for the Claret and Blue, the fact that he’s almost thirty will make fans wonder again if he is a ‘Potter pick’ or another freebie coming from the Chairman’s love of a deal.
Proponents would point to his proven leadership skills, goal scoring propensity and sheer work ethic and suggest that he isn exactly what West Ham are missing just now. Brownhill confirmed his exit from Burnley on a lengthy and emotional twitter / x post,:
“My decision has only ever been about me wanting to challenge myself further and continue to grow as a person and a professional. I feel that a new project at this point in my career simply allows me to do that”
Josh Brownhill gave no clue as to his next club – but rumoured to have found a house in Essex already, West Ham fans will suspect they already know the answer to that one.
Looks like Sullivan is building a squad for the Championship. Another old player who just isn’t good enough for the Premier League
Do footballers really buy houses wherever their trade takes them? It seems a bit extreme when he would probably be on a 3 year contract?
Don’t know too much about Brownhill as a player but on a free transfer, as long as his personal terms are sensible, downside should be fairly limited.
Wouldn’t surprise me though if Moyes enters the fray for the freebie.
Hmm. Bought a house in Essex. Who is he signing for I wonder? Colchester? Southend?
I’m not investing in anything this window until it’s certain then I’ll comment in light of what it is, the deranged way in which the club proceeds kills any joy.
There can be nothing wrong in signing a free agent and there was nothing wrong in signing KWP who will add to the defence. But if a signing is only because it’s free…
I reckon he will be an excellent signing.
Make a note and thank me later.
I hope you’re right!
Now this is more like it…forget the Alpine Messi and Fernandes from the Saints lets get a workhorse freebie from Burnley he is perfect….i no Liverpool/Citeh/Gooners will all be wondering how this guys slipped through the net.