Was it the good vibes talking? Or was a midfielder on West Ham United’s radar really closing the door on a potential summer switch to the Premier League outfit?
Fans of one newly-promoted outfit will be hoping, of course, that it is the latter rather than the former.
Because while chairman David Sullivan may be wary of signing Championship players for West Ham United – his fingers burned by Flynn Downes’ struggles at the London Stadium – Josh Brownhill is a low-risk, even lower-cost addition with his contract at Burnley expiring in a matter of weeks.
If there is ever a transfer which may convince Sullivan to drop his guard, it’s this one.
A few days ago, Burnley released a statement regarding Brownhill and CJ Egan-Riley, confirming that both players were yet to put pen to paper on new deals.
West Ham want former Manchester City starlet Egan-Riley amid rival interest from ambitious Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg. Josh Brownhill is a Hammers target too, and not for the first time.
Josh Brownhill could snub West Ham United for Burnley again
The one-time Man United youngster turned down a move to the London Stadium back in 2020, preferring a Burnley outfit en route to a first ever top-half Premier League finish under Sean Dyche.
Half a decade later, Brownhill has evolved into the free-scoring talisman of Turf Moor. His career-best tally of 18 goals – coupled with a rock-solid backline led by Egan-Riley – was a driving force behind Burnley’s successful promotion charge in the 2024/25 campaign.
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And when asked about his future during The Clarets’ end of season celebrations, Brownhill sounded very much like a man ready to choose Burnley over West Ham for the second time in his career.
“That’s what I am hoping for!,” Brownhill told the Mayor of Burnley, Shah Hussein, when asked if he plans to sign a new contract and commit his future to the Lancashire outfit.
“If anybody can message Alan [Pace, the club’s owner] and get it sorted quicker rather than later, that would be better.”
Brownhill explained his West Ham snub when leaving Bristol City
West Ham are embarking upon a substantial midfield restructuring this summer.
PSG loanee Carlos Soler confirmed his departure over the weekend, though the Spain international could return to England with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez have both been linked with moves away, while Lucas Paqueta still has a lifetime ban hanging over him as he awaits the verdict of that spot-fixing trial.
Brownhill would bring with him a real goal threat from central midfield – West Ham may need that, too, as Tomas Soucek holds talks with Everton and Leeds – while his free-agent status would help keep funds aside for further reinforcements.
Yet, as was the case when he joined Burnley from Bristol City in a £9 million deal all those years ago, West Ham’s does not appear to the claret and blue kit Josh Brownhill’s heart desires.
“My heart was set on Burnley,” Brownhill told the Daily Star when explaining why he chose Lancashire over London.
“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.”
Five years on, Burnley are back in the big time, and Brownhill appears to feel there are still a few chapters to be written in that Turf Moor tale.