Major blow for Everton as fresh talks see Graham Potter close on West Ham job

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West Ham are on the verge of beating Everton to the appointment of Graham Potter according to breaking developments.

Julen Lopetegui and Sean Dyche have been under intense pressure at West Ham and Everton.

There has been jostling behind the scenes over who might blink first between the Hammers and Toffees in the managerial sack race.

Reported mutual targets of both West Ham and Everton have included the likes of Edin Terzic and Sergio Conceicao.

It seems the prospect of one missing out on Graham Potter has been the straw that broke the camel’s back, though.

Reports emerged out of the blue yesterday that West Ham chief David Sullivan had a sudden change of heart and decided he will sack Lopetegui following 5-0 and 4-1 defeats to Liverpool and Man City.

Hammers News exclusively revealed that it was in fact Everton who were responsible for West Ham’s sudden U-turn on the manager.

Major blow for Everton as fresh talks see Potter close on West Ham

The Toffees forced West Ham into action over Potter, who has been on standby to take over at the London Stadium for more than a month.

Potter has also had a serious offer to replace Dyche at Everton.

It was reported that Everton are considering an immediate change and are attracted to Potter due to the fact he’s a free agent.

In fact the former Brighton and Chelsea boss had a longer deal offered by Everton which complicated his talks with West Ham, where an initial six-month contract had been agreed in principle.

West Ham’s talks with Potter stalled on Tuesday.

But now there has been a massive development.

Potter says ‘Yes’ to West Ham claims Sky Sports journalist

And it is a major blow for Everton as fresh talks see Potter close on the West Ham job.

So much so Potter could even take charge of West Ham at Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday night.

That’s according to Sky Sports’ senior reporter Rob Dorsett.

In a breaking news announcement on Sky Sports News this evening, Dorsett says Potter is closing on a return to football with West Ham after he chose them over Everton.

It follows fresh talks this evening with the Hammers which are said to have gone well.

“This is significant information I’ve been given in the last half an hour or so,” Dorsett said at 6.50pm.

“I can tell you that Graham Potter is closing in on a return to football more than 18 months after he was sacked by Chelsea.

“And he’s getting closer and closer to becoming the West Ham head coach in replacing Julen Lopetegui – who is still in that position as I speak to you right now.

“There have been positive further talks between Graham Potter and West Ham officials this afternoon and into this evening.

“There is optimism on both sides I am told that a deal can be done.

“Now there’s still some contractual detail to be agreed but it is very possible that Graham Potter could be in charge of the West Ham side for their next match which is on Friday night – so only in three days time – in the FA Cup against Aston Villa.

“I’ve been telling you about Everton’s interest in Graham Potter, even though they’ve still got a manager in Sean Dyche.

“Their interest still remains in the background I understand. But as things stand things are progressing between West Ham and Graham Potter and all the indications are that Graham Potter will be the next West Ham manager.”

Dorsett says Everton have not pursued Potter as effectively as West Ham.

And the reporter says West Ham have wooed Potter and convinced him of their ambition, project and plans going forward.

“Graham Potter quite likes that idea and so any thoughts of Everton are in the back of his mind because he’s full throttle going forward with West Ham from here,” he added.

“Now that could potentially change… Everton could come in with a big offer. But I think it’s going to be a big, big call from Everton to overhaul West Ham at this late stage and try and stop Graham Potter becoming the West Ham manager.

“I don’t think that Everton have done enough to convince him that’s the case and it’s West Ham who are in pole position to make Graham Potter their next manager.”