June 30th saw a host of contracts expire up and down the country, with Adama Traore, Lukasz Fabianski and Callum Wilson headlining the departures from West Ham United.
Shortly after their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed, the Hammers revealed that Traore and Fabianski would leave as free-agents. There is still a chance that Callum Wilson returns to the London Stadium on another short-term deal.
But as things stand right now, Wilson is also ‘unattached’.
What would YOU tell Callum Wilson to convince him to stay? 🤨
The striker is officially now a free-agent…
So too, by the way, is a defender West Ham United have reportedly held talks to sign. Much to the frustration of many on Teesside, Middlesbrough could lose the long-serving Dael Fry for nothing.
Gazzete Live reported on Tuesday that Boro are still hopeful of reaching an agreement with the former England Under-21 international. A solution will have to be found pretty sharpish, though, as Fry joins Wilson, Traore, Fabianski and co in the free-agent pool.
West Ham United given Dael Fry chance with Middlesbrough failing to tie him down
According to club insider ExWhuEmployee, West Ham identified Fry as a top target following their relegation into the Championship.
“The top target and most realistic appears to be Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry,” Ex said three weeks ago. “I believe that conversations have already happened between the club and his agent, and that this deal could be advancing.
“His club are desperately trying to get him to commit to a new deal with them, but we hope to offer him an alternative.”
Nearly a month on, things remain in stasis. West Ham are sitting and watching. Middlesbrough are negotiating. And Fry is considering his options. A solution is likely to be found sooner rather than later, though, with the start of pre-season looming.
Fry is one of a number of West Ham defensive targets renowned for their impressive passing range. The 6ft 4ins giant is a veteran of over 250 Championship appearances; a big presence both in the air and when tasked with playing probing balls between the lines from deep.
Michael Carrick was a big fan of the Riverside giant
Former West Ham midfielder Michael Carrick valued Fry for his leadership, his experience, and also the ball-playing talents that made him a good fit for a possession-heavy gameplan. A good fit, too, for a Hammers side likely to come up against many low-blocks in the next few months.
“I just think he’s at an age now where he’s got plenty of experience and he’s seen an awful lot at this club and in his career,” the now-Manchester United coach said back in 2025.
Which potential Fernandes replacement would YOU take at West Ham? 🧐
Check out four rumoured targets below 👇
“You go through natural stages in your career, where you’re young and then you’re middle-aged in terms of a career and finally there’s the end. As you go through those stages, the responsibilities evolve and how much influence you have on the group changes too.
“Dael is at an age now where that next step naturally happens. He’s a big presence for us at the back.”
West Ham are set for an £85 million windfall as Tottenham Hotspur reach an agreement for Mateus Fernandes. Dael Fry would not be the most thrilling addition, under the circumstances. But a free-agent with nearly 300 second-tier outings for one of the Championship’s better sides – a player in his prime at 28 – would be an extremely low-risk signing with a potentially sky-high upside.
Especially as West Ham may lose Konstantinos Mavropanos, as well as Axel Disasi. Because he balances a solid passing range with a real aerial presence, Fry could slot neatly into Nuno’s revamped back-four.
Ex also mentioned Stoke City captain Ben Wilmot and another free-agent in Adam Webster. Cardiff City’s Wales international Dylan Lawlor is a younger, more long-term option at the age of 20.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
