A ball will not even be kicked in the Championship for another two months yet West Ham United may be about to seize an early advantage over a potential promotion rival in the shape of Middlesbrough.
Not content with trying to steal their head of football – the Hammers are targeting Kieran Scott as part of a long overdue behind-the-scenes reshuffle – talks are reportedly underway with Middlesbrough defender Dael Fry too.
According to club insider ExWhuEmployee, via West Ham Way, Fry appears the ‘top target’ as well as the ‘most realistic’ at present.
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The long-serving former England Under-21 international is due to leave the Riverside when his contract expires at the end of June. This much to the bemusement of a fanbase who could see a key player strengthen a promotion rival – West Ham United will presumably be installed as early title favourites – without even a cash windfall to ease the frustrations.
Dael Fry leaving for West Ham United is not a popular move at Middlesbrough
“Silly if we’ve let it get this far and plan to keep him on. [The contract situation] should have been done and dusted,” one Middlesbrough fan writes on X. “Gutted if he goes.”
“Well done, Boro. Losing a player worth at least £5 million who is also our best defender on a free…”
“Just pay him what he wants, Boro!”
“This would be a new low for us if we don’t offer him a fair deal and he leaves to go to West Ham. I know they’re a big club but still…”
“They can’t let this happen!”
A reaction which speaks volumes.
Ironically, it may also not reflect particularly well on the aforementioned head of football. Kieran Scott is a rather divisive figure at the Riverside already. One suspects he will not avoid blame if Fry does indeed leave for nothing.
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Since making his second-tier debut a decade ago, Fry has racked up more than a quarter of a century of Championship appearances.
While his 6ft 4ins frame is something that will obviously stand out to West Ham fans – the Londoners struggled badly to cope with crosses and set-pieces last term – Fry was likened to Man City icon John Stones in his younger days thanks to technical qualities which perhaps belie his image.
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“Wouldn’t stand in his way if he wants to go there [to West Ham],” a more gracious Middlesbrough fan writes. “Brilliant servant of his club but, at 28, he may need to think about his best possible chance of promotion.”
“Letting Dael Fry walk for free would be top ten dumbest decisions this club has ever made,” another argues, somewhat less understanding of the situation.
“He’s averaged around 30 appearances a season over the last eight seasons, and he’s one of the best defenders in the division. Cost to replace him will far outweigh cost of keeping him.”
ExWhuEmployee reports that former Brighton defender Adam Webster is another option under consideration, as is Stoke City captain Ben Wilmot.
West Ham like Cardiff City starlet Dylan Lawlor too.
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