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West Ham United 'dealt blow in pursuit of Premier League midfielder'

By Carter White | 08 May 2024

West Ham 'dealt blow in pursuit of Premier League midfielder'

Burnley are reportedly on the verge of triggering the extension clause in Josh Brownhill's contract so that West Ham United cannot secure the player for free this summer.

West Ham United have reportedly been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Burnley's Josh Brownhill ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 28-year-old has been a regular appearance maker for the Clarets in the Premier League this season, earning minutes across 32 top-flight matches.

That being said, Brownhill has been forced to a substitutes' role over recent times, with Vincent Kompany preferring Sander Berge and Josh Cullen as the duo in Burnley's engine room.

Despite this, the Englishman has still managed to provide six goal contributions in the Premier League for the Clarets, including a goal versus Brighton & Hove Albion on April 13.

Since making the switch from Championship outfit Bristol City in January 2020, Brownhill has made the net ripple on 14 occasions across 166 competitive appearances for the Lancashire club.

Burnley's Josh Brownhill and Sander Berge looks dejected on May 4, 2024 © Reuters

West Ham dealt blow in Brownhill pursuit?

According to Claret & Hugh, West Ham have faced a setback in their hopes of securing the services of Burnley's Brownhill during this summer's transfer window.

The report claims that the Clarets have decided to trigger the one-year extension clause in the midfielder's current terms at Turf Moor, leaving him contracted to the club until the summer of 2025.

Brownhill's deal was hurtling towards its expiration this summer, meaning that potential suitors - such as West Ham - would have been able to sign him on a free transfer.

However, that is no longer the case with Kompany's side opting to trigger the extension clause in the player's terms, and it remains to be seen whether the Hammers stay in pursuit of the midfielder.

There could also be a significant change to the transfer strategy this summer following the news that David Moyes will be leaving his post as manager at the end of the season.

Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew in action with Burnley's Josh Brownhill and Charlie Taylor on February 24, 2024 © Reuters

Burnley's Brownhill business

By opting to extend Brownhill's contract by a further year, Burnley are protecting their finances and avoiding a situation in which they lose the midfielder for nothing in the summer.

With the Clarets on the verge of relegation back into the Championship, it is currently unclear whether the 28-year-old would want to play in the second tier next term.

Following Saturday's 4-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United, Burnley are five points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest with just two matches remaining.

Nothing other than a win in North London versus an out-of-form Tottenham Hotspur side this weekend will be enough to keep Burnley's survival dreams alive.