Everton have hijacked a West Ham move for a top target and the Toffees believe he wants to join them instead. West Ham and Everton have already been linked with mutual interest in a number of players this summer.
It was claimed the Toffees are trying to beat West Ham to the signing of Hull’s Jaden Philogene. Now Everton are trying to wreck Julen Lopetegui’s best laid plans for transforming West Ham.
Sean Dyche is having to tread carefully and wheel and deal to get deals done for Everton against the backdrop of the club’s delicate financial situation.
Any doubts over West Ham’s finances and transfer budget have been blown out of the water this week. Technical director Tim Steidten told the media on Monday the club were in a strong financial position to spend and have a big summer window.
Then on Saturday the Hammers confirmed the £40m signing of Wolves captain Max Kilman.
Everton have raised some funds of late, though, after Ben Goddfrey was sold to Atalanta for £10m.
Now it seems the Goodison Park outfit want to use it to beat the Hammers to a player Steidten and Lopetegui have already approached.
Everton launch hijack bid for star Steidten wants
As part of Lopetegui’s West Ham rebuild, he wants two new centre-backs and at least one versatile full-back.
With Kilman in the door West Ham will be looking to sell former Everton player Kurt Zouma and or Nayef Aguerd.
That money will be used towards bringing in another centre half with Jean-Clair Todibo, Jacob Greaves and Jake O’Brien among the targets. West Ham have just sold Said Benrahma to Lyon in a permanent deal worth £12.3m.
And reports have claimed West Ham have enquired about signing Lyon’s Irish centre-back O’Brien while those lines of communication were open. The former Palace player has been a key figure for Lyon who need to raise around £60-80m in sales for financial reasons.
Now Everton believe a top West Ham target wants to join them instead in a hijack bid. According to journalist Alan Nixon West Ham are very much trying to sign O’Brien. But Everton do too and are under the impression he would prefer a move to Goodison.
“Everton are clinging to hope of winning the race for Republic of Ireland centre half Jake O’Brien in a three-club race,” Nixon reports on his Patreon.
“The Toffees think Lyon defender O’Brien would personally choose them out of the trio that includes Nottingham Forest and West Ham.”
L’Équipe recently claimed the 23-year-old ex Palace academy defender O’Brien is one of several players Lyon will sell in their bid to raise funds.
The report also stated O’Brien could be set for the Premier League.
Now all roads lead to Todibo for Hammers?
But it seems Everton believe that will be with them rather than the Hammers. If that does prove to be the case then West Ham’s attentions may switch more intensely to signing Todibo from Nice.
West Ham had a £25m bid rejected last week but remain interested.
Indeed it was revealed on Friday that West Ham have received encouragement from Todibo that he is open to a move to the London Stadium. That would, though, likely require West Ham to make a sale first.
