Whilst the transfer window in the Premier League may have closed a week ago, it remains open in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Mexico.
And with West Ham sources admitting last week there was a “tiny chance” the Hammers could dip into the market to sign an out-of-contract player, many feared a classic “Sully special” might be around the corner.
The ‘Bosman’ signing most heavily linked with West Ham this summer has been Josh Brownhill. Many Irons fans worried the Hammers would snap up the freebie at the end of the window with the usual “we tried” excuse accompanying the deal.
Most Read on West Ham News
West Ham bound Brownhill? The free transfer is moving to Saudi for big money
However, it’s become clear in the last 24 hours that West Ham were never truly in the running. Brownhill is instead on the verge of joining Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab on a mega-money deal worth £110,000 per week net.
The former Burnley midfielder had been linked with other clubs this summer, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they were never in a position to match the riches on offer in the Middle East.
Brownhill’s move has come as something of a surprise, though personally, I wouldn’t have minded him—so long as it was in addition to Fernandes and Magassa rather than instead of. That said, with the club failing to shift either Andy Irving or Guido Rodríguez, Graham Potter is already well stocked in midfield.