West Ham United have reportedly scouted Sheffield United defender John Egan as they consider making a swoop for him in the summer transfer window.
According to The Sun, West Ham United sent scouts to watch Sheffield United defender John Egan in action last week as they are lining up a summer move for the Republic of Ireland international.
Egan spent his formative years at the academy of Greenwood in Ireland before moving to Sunderland in 2009. During his time with the Black Cats, the defender had loan spells away at Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Bradford and Southend United before joining Gillingham FC permanently in 2014. Two years later, he signed for Brentford, where he flourished.
After a two-year stint with the Bees, Egan was recruited by Sheffield United in 2018, from which point he has been a regular in the starting XI for the Blades. The 29-year-old has made 154 appearances for the club. He was a key part of the team that won promotion to the Premier League in 2018/19 and enjoyed a solid couple of years in the top-flight before his side were relegated back in 2021.
Egan has again been a solid customer for Sheffield United, helping their bid for a playoff finish. His performances over the years have seemingly attracted the interest of West Ham United, who had scouts watching the Republic of Ireland international in action last week.
David Moyes is in the market for defensive reinforcements as Angelo Ogbonna is set to turn 34 years old soon and has his contract expiring at the end of the season. There are question marks over the future of Issa Diop as well, while Craig Dawson will be entering the final year of his contract with the club.
So, at least one new centre-back will be necessary for the east London giants, especially if they qualify for European football once again. To that end, they have been linked with a move for Nottingham Forest mainstay Joe Worrall, while Liverpool ace Joe Gomez has also emerged as a target.
It has now been claimed that West Ham United are also keeping a close eye on John Egan. The 29-year-old had been linked with a January deadline day move to the Hammers earlier this year, and it seems like they have reignited their pursuit of the Irishman.
Egan has a contract with Sheffield United until the summer of 2024. However, he could be sold by the Blades in the summer if they fail to achieve promotion to the Premier League. The defender himself would be willing to make the jump to the top-flight, and he is expected to be available within an affordable price range for West Ham.
If they watched his display against Coventry, they won’t be buying!