West Ham United are interested in a transfer for Burnley star Josh Brownhill this summer, so what other players have the Hammers signed from relegated clubs over the last 10 years?
Well, the Irons have raided clubs that suffered relegation from the Premier League just five times since the 2011/12 season. Brownhill could now join the exclusive group if the Clarets go down, as 90min claim David Moyes is ready to make a bid for the Turf Moor midfielder.
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The Irons have a long-standing admiration for the 26-year-old, having tracked his progress for the past 18 months. Brownhill quickly emerged as a key figure in Lancashire following a January 2020 move for £9m from Bristol City, where he was made the captain that season.
West Ham are among Premier League clubs interested in Burnley star Josh Brownhill
Burnley know they are now at risk of losing Brownhill whether or not they are relegated to the Championship. The Clarets want to keep his services further into the Warrington-born ace’s contract running to 2024. But they also accept an exit is possible so will accept £15m.
Lots of Premier League clubs are interested in Brownhill’s transfer from Burnley, including West Ham. Aston Villa, Everton, Leeds and Wolves are considering throwing their hat into the ring. As are Championship winners Fulham and Bournemouth after their promotions.
West Ham are currently favourites for Brownhill’s transfer, however, given their long-term interest in the Burnley star. So, who are the last five players West Ham have signed from a club following a relegation, how have they fared in east London and where are they now?
Josh Brownhill may be West Ham’s next relegation raid after Alphonse Areola deal
Alphonse Areola spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan from Paris Saint-Germain at Fulham. The Frenchman was one of the stars of the Cottagers’ season, but he could not prevent the west Londoners’ relegation. Even though the goalkeeper kept nine top-flight clean sheets.
His Craven Cottage performances impressed Moyes enough for the London Stadium outfit to pursue their own deal. Areola joined West Ham on loan from PSG for the 2021/22 term with a £15m option to buy. But the 29-year-old has struggled to establish a presence since.
Moyes has mostly relied on Areola to play cup ties, including 11 of their 12 Europa League fixtures. Now, TEAMtalk report Fulham are confident of re-signing Areola as PSG have told the goalie he can go. But The Athletic note the Irons have an option for another years loan.
Watford relegation to Ballon d’Or shouts from West Ham fans for Craig Dawson
Craig Dawson was a part of the Watford side that suffered Premier League relegation in the 2019/20 season. Moyes saw the Hornets’ plight as a chance to add depth to the Irons’ defence. But few would have expected just how important the centre-half has since been.
West Ham initially signed Dawson on loan from Watford with a bargain £2m clause set on starting 15 top-flight games. It took until December 2020 for the 32-year-old to establish a presence, yet has since proven to be a mainstay with consistently high-level performances.
Some Hammers supporters and former striker Carlton Cole have even affectionately hailed him as ‘Ballon d’Orson’ for his claret-and-blue performances. Dawson’s displays have also extended to in attack, with vital goals for draws with Leicester and Newcastle this season.
Lukasz Fabianski still number one after West Ham’s relegated club swoop on Swansea
Lukasz Fabianski is still number one at West Ham after the Irons raided a relegated club in Swansea City in 2018. The Hammers paid £7m for the Poland international after he revived his career in south Wales, but wanted to leave the club after falling into the Championship.
Even at 37, the shot-stopper is Moyes’ go-to between the sticks for Premier League games when fit. Fabianski still commands his box to a high degree, and is capable of pulling of key saves. But for goals he could do little about, Fabianski would boast a far superior record.
West Ham face a decision over Fabianski’s future at the London Stadium this summer with the 57-cap ace out of contract. The Hammers only handed the goalie a one year extension in 2021. But Moyes stated in April, via the Daily Mail, he expects Fabianski will stay longer.
Nikica Jelavic only enjoyed five month West Ham career after Hull relegation
Nikica Jelavic only enjoyed a five month career at West Ham after joining the club after his relegation with Hull City. The Irons agreed a £3m deal with the Tigers on deadline day in September 2015. Yet they then sold the striker to Beijing Renhe for £2m in February 2016.
The 36-cap Croatia international failed to establish himself in claret-and-blue with just one Premier League start from 13 top-flight appearances. He also only scored one goal and two assists under Slaven Bilic. Jelavic hit his only Irons goal in a 2-1 loss away to Newcastle.
Jelavic spent the next four years of his career in China before returning home to Croatia in 2020 with Lokomotiva. The forward spent a year at the Stadion Kranjceviceva before then retiring in 2021, following a career that also featured Rapid Vienna, Rangers and Everton.
Matt Jarvis lacked impact after West Ham raided relegated Wolves
West Ham raided Molineux for Matt Jarvis in a £10.75m deal in August 2012 after Wolves suffered relegation from the Premier League. The move saw the Irons pay £7.5m up front, plus £3.25m in add-ons. Yet the one-cap England winger would lack impact in east London.
Jarvis would only score six goals and assist a further eight across his 90 appearances in all competitions. His best top-flight return came during the 2013/14 campaign, when he hit home two and created three. West Ham would then loan the forward to Norwich in 2015.
The Canaries returned to agree a permanent transfer in December 2015 worth just £2.5m. Yet Jarvis’ Carrow Road career only featured 21 appearances before joining Walsall on loan in January 2019 until his contract expired that summer. He did not play again until 2020.
After a year out of work, Woking offered Jarvis his return for the latter half of the 2019/20 campaign. He remained at the non-league side until retiring in 2021. Needless to say, West Ham will hope Brownhill is more a Fabianski with their transfer interest in the Burnley star.
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