Callum Wilson transfer twist emerges as West Ham sweat on June 30 deadline | OneFootball

Callum Wilson's West Ham contract officially runs out today, and Brentford have emerged as the latest side to register their interest

Callum Wilson's West Ham contract officially expires today (June 30), and all eyes are on where the 34-year-old will head next, or if he will remain at the London Stadium ahead of the Hammers' Championship return.

The veteran frontman hasn't played in the second tier since his 20-goal campaign with Bournemouth in the 2014/15 term, and it was expected ever since last season ended that he wouldn't be making a return there any time soon.

However, Wilson wasn't included on this summer's retained list at West Ham, with Claret and Hugh reporting on June 24 that the Hammers were in talks with him over potentially extending his stay.

The 34-year-old has been linked with moves to each of the three newly promoted Premier League sides. The Claret and Hugh report stated that Hull City and Wilson's hometown club Coventry City were interested, while the East Anglian Daily Times outlined that Ipswich Town were targeting him, too.

If it was just three former second-tier sides in for him, perhaps West Ham could have stood a chance of retaining him ahead of their upcoming Championship campaign, but it doesn't seem like they're the only top-flight clubs interested.

Brentford in talks with Callum Wilson

Action Images

According to this Tuesday's Transfer Deal Sheet by The Athletic, Brentford are the latest Premier League side to be interested in ensuring Wilson's Premier League stay continues, as Keith Andrews' side are in talks with the 34-year-old over joining as a free agent.

Wilson only started 11 times in the top flight last season, with the majority of his appearances at West Ham coming from the bench. Nevertheless, he still managed to score seven times, including vital late winners against Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

The Bees are coming off a wholly successful campaign in Andrews' first in the dugout at the Gtech Community Stadium, but they perhaps were left slightly disappointed after a run of just one win in their final 10 games saw them miss out on the first European campaign in their history.

Despite Igor Thiago's 22-goal campaign, Brentford are looking for some more goalscorers to help shoulder the load and push them towards a top-seven/eight position. On a free transfer, there arguably aren't many better veteran frontmen who can still contribute at a high level than Wilson.

The Bees would be able to offer the 34-year-old an opportunity to continue his career in a competitive Premier League side and allow him to possibly cross 100 English top-flight goals in his career, which West Ham unfortunately wouldn't be able to at the London Stadium next season.

West Ham seemingly fighting a losing battle to keep Callum Wilson this summer

Action Images

There's no doubt that Wilson would be able to be a top frontman in the Championship next season, but that's because he'd still be a serviceable option off the bench for the majority of top-flight sides, too.

If West Ham were able to retain the 34-year-old heading into next season, not only would it be one less person that Nuno Espirito Santo has to replace in his squad, but there'd be a high likelihood that the veteran would contribute with the goals required to take them up.

But, with Wilson entering the twilight years of his career, he may likely see the prospect of becoming the 36th person to enter the Premier League's 100 club next season as a bigger prize than winning a Championship title, even if he'd be afforded more minutes at a second-tier club than at Brentford.

You can't hold it against West Ham for trying to retain him, and it shows their intent to keep as many of their top-flight-level players at the club ahead of their second-tier return, but it seems like this is a contract battle that they likely won't win.