Hammers fans – me included- are growing tired of the endless list of ‘linked’ players who either disappear from the radar or get snapped up by opponents. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and [James McAtee](https://www.claretandhugh.info/mcatee-links-could-have-double-benefit-as-paqueta-d-day-draws-near/) are merely the tip of the iceberg yet symptomatic of ‘lost’ targets who, quite understandably in hindsight, headed to opponents rather than commit to spiralling West Ham United.
The Irons, having walked away from Southampton and Mateus Fernandes, are linked again – probably as an act of desperation – by multiple reports this morning with [Leicester City’s](https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2025/08/17/west-ham-united-poised-to-intensify-efforts-to-sign-bilal-el-khannouss/) Bilal El Khannouss. Is he a square peg in a very large – gaping – round hole?
No doubt he’s a talented player but critics have suggested he’s a lightweight for the cut and thrust of the Premier League and more Saïd Benrahama like in his lack of strength on the ball. No doubting his creativity though. With a £25 million or thereabouts clause he’s infinitely affordable but is not going to be a magic bullet to solve the Irons midfield woes.
_He might be a start, though,_ along with – yes, I’ll say it – free signing former Burnley Captain Josh Brownhill. At least there’d be a leader in the middle of the pitch and as a Rodrigues or JWP alternative, who would you rather see next week? It kind of sticks in the throat to admit (let’s be brutally honest for a second) but as an upgrade on yesterdays clueless spineless performance and someone who will fight for every ball I’d be on the phone to Brownhill right now with a one year deal.
Frankly, when you are heading towards Niagara Falls in a boat, it doesn’t matter which way you paddle, as long as it be away from the ever louder growing thunder of disaster looming. So El Khannouss, Brownhill, yes to both. Anything to save the good ship West Ham from the ‘side-side-backward’ saga that has become the Irons’ sole strategy and already threatens to steer them over the edge into the abyss of the Championship and beyond.
**Q:** Can you run and pass forward? **A:** Yes.
_Ok, you’re in. Start on Monday. £100 grand a week ok_?