West Ham United’s first midfield signing of the summer, it appears, will be Burnley captain Josh Brownhill.
Reports emerged on Friday claiming that Brownhill is expected to join West Ham on a free transfer when his contract runs out at the beginning of July.
A long-time West Ham United target, Josh Brownhill rebuffed David Moyes’ advances back in January 2020 before swapping Bristol City for Burnley in a deal worth £9 million.
But, days after the Turf Moor captain seemingly committed his future to the Clarets, Claret and Hugh report that talks with the London giants have reached an ‘advanced’ stage.
Now, it’s fair to say those burgeoning Brownhill rumours have left the West Ham fans divided. One undoubted benefit, however, is the fact that his free-agent status allows the Hammers to kick-start a much-needed midfield overhaul while keeping funds aside for more ambitious, expensive additions.
Take Ardon Jashari, for instance.
Ardon Jashari reacts as West Ham join Manchester City and PSG in race
While West Ham’s talks are progressing for Raphael Onyedika – the £20 million-rated Nigeria international prefers the Premier League over Italian giants AC Milan – another Club Brugge ace also finds himself in Kyle Macaulay’s crosshairs.
It was reported in mid-May that West Ham had contacted Ardon Jashari regarding a potential switch to the London Stadium.
Named the Belgian league’s Player of the Year after a superb debut season with Club Brugge, Jashari is reportedly valued at £30 million.
“It was a truly fantastic season,” the Swiss schemer reflects, speaking to Blick. “When I moved last summer, I expected to get some playing time but I never expected it to go so well for me.
“Looking back, the move was exactly the right path for me.”
A natural-born leader who captained FC Luzern at the age of just 19, Ardon Jashari has caught the eye of Manchester City as well as European champions Paris Saint-Germain. Needless to say, West Ham face an almighty battle convincing him to swap the Jan Breydal Stadium for the London Stadium with Champions League action on offer elsewhere.
Club Brugge ace wants to continue playing in the Champions League
While Onyedika is understood to prefer a move to West Ham over Serie A, Jashari reportedly has little interest in joining a club outside of Europe’s elite, per Het Belang van Limburg.
A man many have labelled Granit Xhaka’s heir apparent for the Switzerland national team, however, is no stranger to speculation.
“There were rumours during my time in Luzern,” adds Jashari, once reportedly on the radars of Leeds United and Celtic. “For me, the only thing that matters is the moment and delivering my best game after game. That was also the case in Belgium, even though such rumours naturally make me proud.
“As an outsider, you can expect a transfer after one season. But I know this was my first year abroad. At the same time, every footballer wants to reach the top.
“If the right offer comes along, fine. But if I continue in Bruges, I don’t mind either. I’m staying relatively relaxed about what the future holds.”
Having caught the eye when pulling the strings for Club Brugge at the very highest level, Jashari provided perhaps the biggest insight yet into his future plans.
And if the Champions League is where the so-called ‘Swiss Casemiro’ feels he belongs, a West Ham side who finished 22 points adrift of the European positions are unlikely to feature prominently amongst his preferred destinations.
“I’ve put in some good performances in the Champions League this season,” adds Jashari, who was also likened to a young Jude Bellingham back home in Switzerland. “That’s why I know that a top club in one of the major leagues is realistic for me.
“Even there, you have to prove yourself first. But I’ve seen that I can compete.”
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