Exclusive: Free agent with 701 appearances has just turned down the chance to join West Ham United

• EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey

West Ham made ten signings during the summer transfer window – and an eleventh almost happened even after last Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline.

The free agent market is there for Tim Steidten – Director of Football – to explore as the Hammers aim to plug gaps they failed to fill in the transfer window.

Interestingly, West Ham have already held talks with free agents in Joel Matip and John Egan – following their respective departures from Liverpool and Sheffield United – ahead of potentially signing one of the central defenders, after Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd were allowed to leave.

In fact, the chances of either Matip or Egan arriving have now increased, after another defensive freebie moved elsewhere – although he was tempted to join West Ham…

Mats Hummels was tempted to join West Ham

TBR Football understands that Mats Hummels was tempted by the chance to join West Ham this summer.

It is believed that the German – who won the 2014 World Cup – was approached by several Premier League clubs after leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of last season, with his 508th and last appearance for the Bundesliga giants coming in the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid, but wanted to take his time.

In total, the six-time Bundesliga winner has made 701 career appearances at club level, while also earning 78 caps for Germany.

Sources inform TBR Football that Hummels was indeed attracted by the West Ham project explained to him by Steidten this summer, while he was also enticed by the prospect of linking up with Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton.

However, the 35-year-old has now agreed to join Roma.

Hummels also spoke to Tottenham during the summer window, but the chance to play UEFA Europa League football under Daniele De Rossi proved too good to ignore for the man from Bergisch Gladbach.

John Egan seems likeliest to arrive

With Hummels no longer an option, we believe West Ham could turn to the aforementioned Egan.

The 31-year-old left Sheffield United at the end of last season after making 224 appearances for the Blades.

We feel the Republic of Ireland international might be chosen ahead of Matip, due to the fact David Moyes wanted Egan at West Ham back in January 2023, and also because the Irishman only earned £30,000-a-week at Sheffield United.

In contrast, Matip made £140,000-a-week, so his salary demands are likely to be much higher.

Be sure to keep an eye on developments at West Ham, as a free transfer could still arrive.