According to journalist Dean Jones, West Ham United have been scouting former academy player Josh Cullen and may make a move to take him back to east London.
Cullen spent the whole of his youth career with the Hammers, but ultimately made just 10 appearances for the first team, with him spending time on loan at Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic. He eventually completed a permanent move to Anderlecht in October 2020, and has since made 73 appearances for the Belgian outfit.
Now, as per Jones, the Irons are said to be interested in taking the 26-year-old back to the London Stadium. He told GiveMeSport: “I was told they are keeping an eye on him. They have scouted him again and he could be someone they look to.”
TIF Thoughts on rumoured Cullen interest…
Central midfielder Cullen was never able to make the grade at West Ham. However, he has settled well at Anderlecht, and has been one of his club’s best players this term, averaging a rating 7.02 as per WhoScored – more than all but four of his teammates. No other Anderlecht squad member has managed as many as his two tackles per game in the Jupiler Pro League, while he also tops the interceptions chart.
Mark Noble is set to bring the curtain down on his 18-year West Ham career at the end of this campaign. His exit will leave space for another central midfielder and Cullen could well be the man to fill the void, especially given his previous affiliation to the club. Valued at just £4.5m, he would hardly break the bank for David Moyes and co, either.
Should West Ham re-sign Cullen?
Yes
No
In this case, it would perhaps depend on whether Cullen would be willing to go back to a club that failed to show faith in him the first time around. Only time will tell whether the Ireland international goes back to where it all started.