West Ham United

West Ham United

Premier League • England

West Ham hatch plan for £12m January signing that could spark cult favourite’s cut-price exit to Prem rival

Sheffield United centre-back John Egan

West Ham will move for Sheffield United centre-back John Egan to the tune of £12m in January, and that move could push a current centre-half to a Premier League rival, per a report.

The Hammers signed three new defenders over the summer. Thilo Kehrer and Nayef Aguerd bolstered the centre-back ranks. Left-back Emerson Palmieri moved across London upon completing a £13m move from Chelsea. Add-ons could bring the final fee for the Italy international to £15m.

However, with the window winding down, manager David Moyes attempted to make a late addition.

He pushed to sign Southampton’s Jan Bednarek for extra cover in the centre. His arrival would then have sparked Craig Dawson’s exit, though Bednarek’s move to Aston Villa on loan gave Dawson a stay of execution.

Dawson has rarely put a foot wrong at West Ham. He featured heavily last term amid a spate of injuries and was even christened ‘Ballon d’Awson’ among sections of the fanbase for his exemplary displays.

However, at 32 and in the final year of his deal, the writing is on the wall. He seems certain to leave the Hammers at some stage in the next 10 months and according to the Sun, it could come as early as January.

West Ham hatch £12m John Egan plan

That’s because the Hammers are plotting a £12m move to sign John Egan.

The Sheffield Utd centre-half, 29, excelled during the Blades’ two-year stint in the top flight between 2019-21.

The Republic of Ireland international has under two years remaining on his contract at Bramall Lane and the Sun report West Ham will try their luck with a £12m move when the winter window opens.

Egan was reportedly a target for Moyes in the summer, though the Blades refused to play ball.

However, it’s suggested they may be more willing to sell one window later as Egan’s contract winds down.

Furthermore, Egan may be on board with the move given it would provide a guarantee of Premier League football.

Sheffield Utd currently sit atop the Championship and are a genuine promotion contender, though that league is notoriously difficult to both predict and navigate.

Egan to push Dawson to Wolves?

If Egan does move to West Ham, the report adds Dawson will be the fall guy.

Aston Villa considered Dawson before landing Bednarek. Regardless, a move to the Midlands could still materialise given Wolves’ interest.

The Sun add Wolves ‘will take another look at Dawson’ after falling short in the summer. Bruno Lage’s side sold Willy Boly, Conor Coady and Romain Saiss in the last window. Only Nathan Collins was drafted in to fill the void.

West Ham reportedly wanted £5m plus a further £2m in add-ons for Dawson. Given he’ll have less than six months on his deal come January, logic would dictate those demands will be lowered.