Speaking recently on The West Ham Way podcast, ExWHUemployee discussed West Ham United trialist Rico Browne.
According to recent reports, following a trial with Tottenham Hotspur last month – which, despite impressing for the club’s youth side, did not lead to a formal offer for the centre-back – West Ham took the opportunity to offer the 17-year-old Birmingham City defender a trial themselves.
The reason the ‘highly-rated’ defender has been allowed to train with other clubs is down to the fact that Birmingham are considering a switch to the ‘B’ team model, which would result in the Championship side ditching their current academy setup.
And, speaking on a recent episode of The West Ham Way podcast, ExWHUemployee provided further information about Browne’s trial at the club, as well as discussing interest in the defender from other clubs.
He said: “We have a couple of youngsters on trial that are worth keeping [our] eyes [on]. [These are] definitely two players that have potential. One is called Rico Browne, he is a centre-back that is at Birmingham currently, and he is on trial with us at the moment.
“Apparently, Spurs are also interested in him and a number of other clubs, but he is actually officially on trial with us at the moment. So, hopefully, if he’s any good, because he’s with us now, we’d be able to sign him up.”
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TIF Thoughts on ExWHUemployee’s comments regarding Rico Browne…
Indeed, further to ExWHUemployee’s comments regarding Tottenham’s interest in Browne, Football Insider reports that Jose Mourinho’s side have now made the offer of an 18-month contract to the defender, however, as the club did not submit a formal offer for the player prior to West Ham’s request of a trial, the Hammers were able to bring the player in.
And with ExWHUemployee suggesting that, as West Ham currently have the 17-year-old on their books, the Hammers appear to be the club in pole position to sign the in-demand defender, in our opinion, if David Moyes’ side do go on to land Browne ahead of their London rivals, it could represent a rather significant coup for the club.