West Ham waiting in the wings to sign Dael Fry on a free transfer | OneFootball

West Ham United are lining up a move for Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry on a free transfer as the Irons prepare for a major defensive rebuild, per the Daily Mail.

The Hammers are monitoring Fry’s contract situation closely, with the 28-year-old set to become a free agent at the beginning of July.

Unless his team can persuade him to sign a new deal, West Ham will be in the race to secure his signature.

West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League has forced the club into restructuring its squad.

The Irons desperately need players with proven Championship pedigree, and Fry fits that profile.

Fry has bags of experience after years of consistent performances in the second tier. He impressed last season, bagging three goals and helping to keep nine clean sheets.

In 32 Championship appearances, he won 68% of his aerial and 71% of his ground duels.

Manager Kim Hellberg believes the West Ham target ‘has almost everything you’d want in a centre-back‘.

The Hammers are expected to lose several defenders this summer, creating an urgent need for reinforcements at centre-back.

Axel Disasi is unlikely to remain at the London Stadium after his loan spell.

Meanwhile, Konstantinos Mavropanos is among the players who could depart as the club trims its squad.

That leaves West Ham searching for experienced, reliable defensive options to bolster a promotion push, with Fry emerging as an attractive market opportunity.

On a free transfer, he is a low-risk signing. West Ham can strengthen without committing a transfer fee while directing funds towards other areas of the squad.

Blackburn Rovers are also believed to be interested, with head coach Tony Mowbray reportedly an admirer of the defender.

However, West Ham can offer more competitive personal terms thanks to major sales and parachute payments.

Having been with Boro since the age of eight, leaving would mark the end of a remarkable one-club journey.

But with West Ham preparing for life in the Championship, the experienced English centre-back could become one of their first key additions of the summer.