Former Premier League right-back Alan Hutton believes that West Ham could make a move for reported target John Egan.
The Scotsman was speaking to Football Insider following a recent report from The Sun’s Alan Nixon that David Moyes is keen on the Sheffield United centre-back, with a £12m fee being touted.
The report suggested that Egan was a top target for the Hammers but his current employers refused to negotiate, with Moyes looking to revisit a potential deal in January.
It is thought that the arrival of the Republic of Ireland international could then allow Craig Dawson to depart after a move for the defender to leave on deadline day collapsed.
When asked if West Ham would be overpaying for Egan at the reported fee, Hutton said: “I think that’s a lot of money.
“I’ve not read too much into the whole situation but £12m is a lot of money. But when you see some of the price tags that are getting banded round at this moment in time, you can tell why the prices are high.
“The likes of good centre-halves, people that would run through a brick wall for your team is hard to come by and I think he’s that type who would obviously do that. David Moyes obviously sees something in him that would help make the team better.
“If they value him at £12m and so do West Ham then fair enough.“
Could be worth a shot
Egan has two years left on his current deal, which does leave Sheffield United in a favourable position when it comes to negotiations.
He made 67 Premier League appearances as the Blades competed in the top flight between 2019 and 2021, and with Paul Heckingbottom’s side currently top of the Championship, he could be content to battle for promotion at the club he has represented since 2018.
However, the potential of European football could lure the 26-cap defender – who turns 30 next month – to the London Stadium if West Ham progress to the knockout rounds in the Conference League; and perhaps the £12m is worth paying given the spate of defensive injuries which have plagued the Irons in recent months.
