Exclusive: West Ham reignite interest in £9m captain who rejected Moyes in 2020, with Fulham monitoring a potential free transfer.

With five goals in just 16 appearances this season, Burnley’s number eight is on track for the most prolific campaign of his career.

He needs only three more goals to surpass his personal best, making the 2024/25 season one to remember.

However, whether Josh Brownhill finishes this season at Turf Moor remains uncertain.

With his contract set to expire in the summer of 2025 and the January transfer window approaching, Burnley faces an uphill battle to retain their star player.

Brownhill’s exceptional form has attracted widespread interest, and the club may struggle to keep hold of him as offers pour in.

According to reports, West Ham United—long-time admirers of the midfielder—are leading the chase. Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion have also expressed interest, adding to Burnley’s challenge.

Moreover, the Clarets are aware that interest extends beyond the Premier League, with foreign clubs monitoring Brownhill’s situation.

Negotiations for a new contract with the Warrington-born 28-year-old have proven difficult, leaving his future up in the air.

Brownhill, now Burnley’s captain, will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement in January. Burnley must decide whether to sell him mid-season or risk losing him on a free transfer the following summer.

Beyond West Ham, Fulham, and Brighton, clubs from Italy, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are reportedly circling.

Brownhill is seriously considering a move abroad, with Serie A teams Torino, Fiorentina, and Lazio ready to offer him contracts.

The prospect of playing Champions League football in 2025 with Fiorentina or Lazio is enticing for Brownhill, especially as these clubs compete at the top of the Italian league.

Meanwhile, domestic interest comes from Rangers, Celtic, and Leeds United, though these clubs face significant challenges.

The Scottish giants lack the financial muscle to compete with other suitors, while Leeds’ second-tier status makes a mid-season move unlikely for Brownhill.

Brownhill joined Burnley from Bristol City nearly five years ago for £9 million. Interestingly, he previously turned down a move to West Ham, opting instead for Sean Dyche’s Burnley, who were more stable in the Premier League at the time.

“My heart was set on Burnley,” Brownhill told the Daily Star when reflecting on his decision. “We were in talks for a couple of weeks, and I knew it was the right place.

West Ham is a big club as well, but Burnley were a lot safer in the table. For me, it was about being in the Premier League, and Burnley just ticked every box.”

West Ham, however, could reignite their interest in Brownhill, especially with their current struggles in midfield under Julen Lopetegui.

Players like Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez have failed to deliver the energy and mobility the team needs.

Brownhill could fill that void, but his arrival might come too late to save Lopetegui, who is under mounting pressure.

Meanwhile, Fulham have already dipped into Burnley’s squad this season, signing Sander Berge in August.

This prior transfer highlights the possibility of another move, with Fulham keen to bolster their midfield options.

As January approaches, Burnley faces a tough decision: cash in on their captain now or risk losing one of their most influential players for nothing next summer.

The stakes are high, and Brownhill’s next move could shape the rest of his career.