John Egan wage demands update as West Ham United close in on signing Will Salthouse client

John Egan is likely to want a £30,000 per week contract to sign for West Ham as a free agent, according to Sean Whetstone.

The former editor of Six Foot Two reported via X on 5 September that the ex-Sheffield United defender's wage demands are expected to match what he was on at Bramall Lane.

The Will Salthouse client is being considered to boost Julen Lopetegui's central options after Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd left on loan, with Whetstone reporting earlier on 5 September the Irish international was playing behind-closed-doors friendly for the club.

Whetstone wrote: "John Egan's wage demands are likely to be similar to what he was earning when he left Sheffield United which was £30,000 per week, he is likely to ask for squad number 12, the number he had at the Blades for many years, he is classed as home-grown player, and his agent is said to be Will Salthouse."

West Ham liked Mats Hummels and Joel Matip

The Irons appeared to favour bringing in ex-Borussia Dortmund man and former World Cup winner Mats Hummels following the close of the transfer window [Whetstone, 3 September], while talks have been held with Liverpool Champions League winner Joel Matip [Standard, 2 September].

Of the three Egan is arguably the least exciting option, especially coming off a season he missed nearly all of with injury as the Blades were relegated from the Premier League.

That might bring the push to offload Zouma and Aguerd at the end of the transfer window into question, but on financial terms it makes sense to replace the two expensive senior options with a more affordable one in a back-up roll.

Zouma was said to be on £125,000-a-week [Daily Mail] and Aguerd thought to be earning £90,000-a-week [Guardian, 26 August], and neither contract is especially feasible for a fourth-choice.

So with new signings Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo in line to make the lion's share of starts under Lopetegui, and last summer's signing Konstantinos Mavropanos likely the next man up, Egan would be a relatively cheap emergency option.

The new manager will likely hope not to call on the Irishman too frequently if the club does follow through with a deal, but defensive injury crises in recent seasons show it can never be ruled out.

In other West Ham news, local rivals have been left stunned after transfer talks with the Hammers.

For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.