Following a week of such momentous events inside the West Ham boardroom, it is easy to overlook the arrival of the summer transfer window: West Ham are rebuilding for a Championship season and need to make big changes in personnel and salaries to stay within new squad cost ratio (SCR) rules limiting their payroll to 85% of income.
Hence the long list of likely departures: Even if Kretinsky’s promise to try and keep ‘key players’ comes to fruition, some very expensive players such as Jean Clair Todibo, Aaron Wan Bissaka, Alphonse Areola, Edson Alvarez and James Ward Prowse are likely to be moved on to reduce West Ham’s significant wage bill.
Which means replacements need to be brought in: According to the star.co.uk the Hammers are well advanced in a plan to recruit free agent 28 year old Championship defender Dael Fry when his Middlesboro contract expires at the end of June.
“West Ham United are emerging as the frontrunners to sign Sheffield United-linked defender Dael Fry, according to a report…West Ham, who are preparing for their first season in the Championship since 2011/12 following relegation from the Premier League last month, are said to be leading the race for him at this moment in time, in the event of him leaving the Riverside.
Free signing Dale Fry would be a championship-proven centre back option for West Ham
It is reported the Hammers currently stand as the ‘most serious and realistic suitor’ to secure his signature. A big squad rebuild is expected at the London Stadium this summer amid the need for them to cut their cloth and lower their wage bill”
Recognised as a top quality Championship centre back, Fry seems to be an option as a Jean Clair Todibo replacement, hopefully without the disciplinary problems and certainly without the £37 million transfer fee.
This seems to be a sensible acquisition, we do need to lower our eyes a bit for this season.
We do need a strong backline