West Ham United want Josh Brownhill from Premier League rivals Burnley and are readying a bid after watching the £15 million-rated midfielder for nearly two years, as reported by 90Min.
If you asked a fleet of world-leading scientists to design the typical David Moyes midfielder, the prototype would probably look a little something like Josh Brownhill.
Tenacious, yes, but technically gifted also. Adaptable enough to play in a variety of midfield roles and more than happy to shed blood, sweat and the odd tear for three points.
The 26-year-old is not the most naturally talented footballer in the Premier League. But, given Moyes’ track record when it comes to helping players of his ilk realise their potential – see Craig Dawson, Declan Rice and Michail Antonio – the London Stadium could be a sensible next step on Brownhill’s footballing journey.
West Ham United want Josh Brownhill from Burnley
90Min claim that West Ham have been watching the £15 million-rated former Preston North End and Bristol City man for 18 months now.
A bid is in the offing too, with Burnley fearing that Brownhill is entering his final few weeks as a Clarets player – even if Mike Jackson does succeed in pulling off arguably the greatest escape since Bryan Robson was wiping champagne from his eyes all the way back in 2005.
Aston Villa, Everton, Wolves, Leeds and the returning Fulham and Bournemouth are also keen. The report adds, however, that West Ham are the ‘favourites’ for a player who admitted to turning down the Europa League semi-finalists before joining Burnley for £9 million in January 2020.
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“My heart was set on Burnley,” Brownhill told the Daily Star (5th July 2020, page 42).
“We were in talks for a couple of weeks and I knew it was the right place. West Ham is a big club as well but in January, Burnley were a lot safer in the table. For me, it was about being in the Premier League and Burnley just ticked every box.”
Burnley ‘safer’ in the Premier League than West Ham, huh? How times have changed in just two years.
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