Football
Exclusive: Everton Step Up Pursuit of Free Agent Josh Brownhill Amid West Ham Interest
Former Burnley captain Josh Brownhill is set to leave the club after his contract expired. Everton and West Ham are both eager to sign the midfielder following his impressive performances last season. Brownhill expressed his desire to challenge himself further and grow professionally.
Burnley FC v Sheffield United FC - Sky Bet Championship by Alex Livesey | Getty Images
Everton are set to ramp up their efforts to sign midfielder Josh Brownhill this week, but the Merseyside club face stiff competition from Premier League rivals West Ham, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Brownhill’s contract with Burnley expired last month, with the Clarets disappointed they couldn’t agree a new deal with the 29-year-old, one of their star players in last season’s memorable Championship promotion-winning campaign.
The former Bristol City and Preston North End playmaker spent five and a half years at Turf Moor and enjoyed two promotions to the Premier League with the club.
But after 211 appearances across all competitions since joining from the Robins in 2020, former skipper Brownhill recently revealed on social media that he felt now was the right time to depart after his contract expired this summer.
"My decision has only ever been about me wanting to challenge myself further and continue to grow as a person and a professional," Brownhill said.
"I feel that a new project at this point in my career simply allows me to do that."
The Toffees and Hammers have both been long-time admirers of the player, who scored a total of 32 goals for the club.
BEST SEASON
Brownhill played 111 times for Burnley in the Premier League and enjoyed his best season last term, scoring a career-high 18 goals for the club and being one of the driving forces behind the club’s welcome return to the top-flight.
“To the fans, I really want you to know that I understand and value what Burnley is to its people and will be forever grateful to you all,” added Brownhill, after confirming his departure.
“From watching the community coming together through Covid and seeing how hard you all work to be able to travel around the country supporting your team."
"To wear the captain's armband for this club was a real honour and something I felt privileged to do every day."
"From big goals in critical moments, trying to drive high standards every day and displaying the values of the community through my work on the pitch - I hope you can see as fans that I have always given my all for this great club and all it stands for."
"Lastly, it really felt like the perfect way to sign off my time at Burnley, by scoring two goals in my last game at Turf Moor, while captaining and being promoted into the Premier League with 100 points for a second time."
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.