Over the last few days, no fewer than four new centre-back targets have presented themselves for West Ham United; Cardiff City’s Dylan Lawlor, Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry, Stoke’s Ben Wilmot and former Brighton stalwart Adam Webster.
There is something the quartet have in common, too. Apart from those links with West Ham United, of course, and their shared past in the Football League.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will be expected to record far higher possession numbers in the Championship than they did in the Premier League. As such, the Hammers will likely come up against plenty of low-block opponents. Thus, increasingly the need for centre-halves who can break the lines, step into midfield, and start attacks from source.
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And there are few better at this, among those currently on the market, than Adam Webster.
West Ham United could finally sign ex-Brighton ace Adam Webster
West Ham reportedly cooled their long-standing interest in Webster last summer. A surprising development, perhaps, given that then-head coach Graham Potter was such a huge fan of the 31-year-old.
Club insider ExWhuEmployee tells West Ham Way that Webster is now back in contention, perhaps driven by his new-found free-agent status.
The veteran has struggled with injuries of late – a knee problem ruled him out for the whole of 2025/26 – but this could be an inspired addition if Webster can put those issues behind him.
“Adam Webster’s passing out from the back, with both feet, is better than any other English central defender,” Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said after a particularly eye-catching performance during a 1-1 draw between Brighton and Chelsea in 2022.
“That is what Adam brings for us, that is his quality,” Potter would later add. “He has been fantastic and helps us to build our attacks. In terms of his attributes, I don’t see anybody else with the same level as Adam Webster
“If you want to build from the back and carry the ball and progress the game, he is fantastic.”
While Webster is one to watch, West Ham appear to be prioritising a younger, fitter option at present.
ExWhuEmployee claims that the Hammers are in talks with Middlesbrough giant Dael Fry. Further discussions are expected in the coming days.
Fry, at 6ft 3ins, may seem like your classic rough-and-tumble EFL centre-back. However, while Webster blossomed under a possession-based coach in Potter, Fry did similar under Michael Carrick at the Riverside.
“His physical prowess shouldn’t detract from his ability on the ball, which is perhaps the centre back’s most impressive attribute,” Breaking the Lines wrote of the 28-year-old colossus.
“Fry has been likened to Manchester City’s John Stones in the past and it’s easy to see why; he is very much a modern, multifaceted defender.”
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Dael Fry, Ben Wilmot and Dylan Lawlor all fit the bill
Stoke captain Ben Wilmot is another who combines physicality with finesse. Ex says that he has caught West Ham’s eye as well, despite the Potters recently extending his contract. Only eight players in the Championship averaged more passes per game than Wilmot in 2025/26.
According to Wales Online, West Ham could step up their interest in Cardiff’s Dylan Lawlor too as they look to do some early business before the World Cup reshapes the market and raises values.
Hammers icon Danny Gabbidon sees shades of himself in Lawlor. Craig Bellamy, another former Upton Park favourite, even trusted a 20-year-old Lawlor to mark Edin Dzeko during the World Cup play-offs against Bosnia.
“We know his ability with the ball, it’s clear for everyone to see,” Bellamy said after a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat. “Give him the ball and he can develop and commit the game but, off the ball and in duels, I thought he was really exceptional against some really big, physical players.”
Lawlor’s most memorable moment, so far, probably came during Cardiff’s 4-0 trouncing of Doncaster in February. He picked up the ball deep inside his own half, strode the length of the field before finishing off one of the finest solo goals in the whole of the EFL.
Webster, Wilmot, Fry and Lawlor; the identity of West Ham’s first centre-back signing is yet to be revealed, but the profile could hardly be clearer.
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