The summer transfer window may have officially closed, but the drama at West Ham may not be over just yet with one in and one out still possible.
Deadline day proved something of a damp squib for West Ham with only Igor Julio arriving in a straight loan from Brighton.
West Ham fans have good memories of Igor but for all the wrong reasons in terms of what he might bring to their side.
Jarrod Bowen famously left a fresh-legged Igor for dead in the last minute of the Europa Conference League final as the Brazilian defender tried to play him offside.
Bowen burst through to score the winning goal in the last minute against Fiorentina.
Igor was blasted by manager Vincenzo Italiano after the game and was then sold to Brighton.
The 27-year-old has failed to establish himself at Graham Potter’s old club, though, making just 27 starts in two seasons.
West Ham’s underwhelming deadline day
West Ham’s move for Igor was bigger news in Liverpool as it scuppered Marc Guehi’s move as he snubbed joining Crystal Palace in favour of a switch to the London Stadium.
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Many Hammers fans had their hearts set on signing a top young defender like Charlie Cresswell.
But Igor was the only arrival with Emerson, Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet joining a long list of departures over the summer.
Hammers fans are not happy given the club were expected to push for a new forward and midfielder too.
But West Ham could still seal one in and one out after the deadline as a strange situation raises eyebrows.
Two players who were also expected to leave remained in east London.
West Ham head coach Graham Potter shares a handshake with midfielder Guido Rodriguez
Photo by Kevin C. Cox – Premier League/Getty Images for Premier League
Deals could still be on the cards for the Hammers given what we know about the players concerned.
Midfield duo Guido Rodriguez and Andy Irving were linked with moves away from east London all summer.
Celtic, Wrexham and Leicester were all interested in Scottish international Irving.
It is claimed the 25-year-old did not want to drop down to the Championship.
Rodriguez meanwhile was linked with moves to Spain, Saudi Arabia and Argentina with Espanyol and his former club Real Betis in the mix.
When West Ham went out and spent £60m on midfield duo Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa last week, Irving and Rodriguez looked certain to follow Edson Alvarez out the Hammers exit.
West Ham could still seal one in and one out after deadline
But they have both remained and Potter did not sign the third midfielder many feel was needed.
There is still a possibility that might happen, though.
Rodriguez could still depart with clubs in Belgium and Switzerland able to sign players up until Monday, September 8 while the Saudi Pro League window closes on Tuesday, September 23.
Other possible destinations for Rodriguez could be Turkey and Greece whose windows close on Friday, September 12.
Many clubs in those competitions may be able to offer European football too.
Should Rodriguez move on then many Hammers fans are convinced a player linked with West Ham all summer could arrive.
Josh Brownhill during Burnley FC v Sheffield United FC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
One player who was said to be on West Ham’s radar all window was ex Burnley captain Josh Brownhill.
The situation with Brownhill has been turning heads, especially since the window closed.
The 30-year-old all-action midfielder was Burnley’s best player as he led them back to the Premier League last season as a regular scorer of important goals.
Brownhill snubbed a new contract at Burnley and has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham ever since.
Earlier in the summer, Claret and Hugh claimed terms and a potential agreement had already been discussed with central midfielder Brownhill.
The top spokesman for West Ham’s owners denied claims Brownhill could join on a free back in June.
Strange Brownhill situation raises eyebrows
At the time, the Hammers spokesman said: “We actually don’t think Brownhill is as good as the players we have already got and we have a lot of midfielders.”
However, should Rodriguez follow Alvarez out of the West Ham exit, then that would change the landscape in terms of West Ham’s options.
Yes the Hammers are still well stocked in midfield in terms of numbers.
But they don’t have many players with Brownhill’s high energy and ability to get stuck in and grab a goal.
Brownhill’s current status is as bizarre as it is intriguing.
The former Man United man remains a free agent post deadline, which means he can still sign for any club that wants him.
Summer speculation about West Ham signing Brownhill stirred mixed reactions from Hammers fans.
It would send the wrong message to young Freddie Potts, who started every pre-season game only to find himself struggling for minutes now the competitive action has started.
But as an additional option for midfield on a free transfer, Brownhill might prove to be a sensible signing, especially if Rodriguez does depart.