By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Birmingham City have signed former West Ham target Dael Fry on a three-year deal after he left Middlesbrough at the end of his contract.
Fry’s representatives were understood to have met with the Hammers hierarchy towards the end of last season, with talks reaching an advanced stage.
A Deal From A Different Era
Before anyone gets too concerned about West Ham missing out on a key target… we really haven’t.
The 28-year-old was very much identified by the previous recruitment regime, with Jack Sullivan believed to have been heavily involved in the proposed deal.
The fact the Sullivans were so hands-on with preparations for this season demonstrates just how much of a surprise it must have been when they were forced to step away from their roles at the club.
Capable Championship Defender
As for the player himself, he’s a very capable Championship defender with strong leadership qualities, but there have always been serious doubts surrounding his fitness.
Fry made nearly 300 appearances for his boyhood club and captained Middlesbrough last season as they reached the Championship play-off final.
That said, there are better options available for a club hoping to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
From a West Ham point of view, this feels less like missing out on a priority target and more like the closing of a chapter from the club’s previous recruitment strategy.
Still hoping for Disasi return 🤞
Surely we will not ignore any research work done by ‘the previous regime’. Doesn’t mean that we dismiss out of hand any suggestion from the boys or indeed feel the need to follow up on any informed groundwork.
I’m certain that Jack Sullivan still has the best of intentions concerning the future of West Ham and would be delighted to be of any assistance he can.
Not quite dead and buried just yet. Very much not a turncoat employee. Human.
You do seem to love the Sullivan’s… You’re not related by any chance?…