West Ham plot £0 transfer move for 31-year-old | OneFootball

Adam Webster has reportedly emerged as a summer target for the Irons

West Ham United's summer transfer plans have already been widely reported, with an exodus of star names and high earners at the London Stadium to be expected after the club's relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.

Nuno Espírito Santo will begin his first full season in E20 looking to add a second promotion from the second tier to the top-flight on his CV, having previously won the division during his time with Wolves eight years ago.

However, the set of circumstances facing the Portuguese this time around couldn't be at more of a contrast, with the Hammers' financial situation meaning that several players have been linked with departures throughout pre-season due to a need to balance the books after returning to the Championship for the first time in 14 years.

Regardless of such goings-on, though, the capital outfit have still been tipped to earn promotion at the first time of asking as a result of the strength in-depth which is still likely to remain at the London Stadium despite such a squad reshuffle.

The main talking points have certainly been around the futures of Mateus Fernandes, Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, especially with the Dutch winger excelling for his country in the first two matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026, netting against both Japan and Sweden in the past eight days.

However, with Czech investor, Daniel Křetínský, set to take majority control of the Irons after the recent resignation of David Sullivan, many incoming targets have also been linked with moves to this part of London in recent days.

Some have certainly been exciting links. However, a fresh transfer update has left some fans concerned over West Ham's transfer policy.

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Indeed, it has been claimed by Jack Rosser of the Sun that West Ham are looking to add defensive reinforcements throughout the summer window with exits expected throughout this department of Nuno's squad.

The journalist has reported that one name who has been earmarked as a potential signing is 31-year-old, Adam Webster, who recently brought his seven-year stint with Brighton and Hove Albion to an end.

Despite the fact the Seagulls have qualified for the UEFA Conference League in 2026/27, the Sussex native was, unfortunately, unable to play no part in their success under Fabian Hürzeler, with his last appearance coming on the final day of the 2024/25 season against Tottenham Hotspur.

The defender suffered an ACL injury in pre-season 11 months ago, which has since kept him sidelined, and he is continuing his recovery with Brighton at this moment in time.

The aforementioned reports that numerous clubs have made free transfer approaches despite having reservations over his condition, with West Ham one of those due to the expected departures of Konstantinos Mavrapanos and Jean-Clair Todibo.

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Despite his recent fitness issues, Webster boasts 138 Premier League outings on his CV, and is just two short of making the 100-game mark in the Championship after previous stints with Ipswich Town and Bristol City.

However, whilst adding experience to the squad has been on the wishlist of many Hammers fans, it is fair to say that they are not entirely on board with a move for Webster, even through a low-cost deal.

That said, there have been some supporters hopeful that Webster could mirror the previous success of Craig Dawson, who was signed on a free transfer in 2020/21.

West Ham have also been linked with a move for former loanee, Axel Disasi, but another supporter can't see the Frenchman and Webster partnering each other next season.

Another fan made it fairly simple how they felt about such rumours.

West Ham cannot afford many risky transfer deals in the Championship

Again, given Webster's recent injury issues, it isn't the greatest of surprises that these links have generated mixed reactions.

Seven years ago, the defender was one of the most highly-rated in the Championship, and his move to Brighton saw the Seagulls part with a then club-record £20m fee.

However, time has moved on, and whilst a wealth of experience would be provided, Nuno would be taking a gamble in terms of availability and reliability, which are certainly needed for any club to be successful in the second tier.