An ex West Ham striker linked with an LS return is now on the verge of an 11th hour move to Everton as a new Andre Ayew report emerges from France.
A shock report from 90 Min yesterday claimed that West Ham were one of five Premier League clubs interested in signing 33-year-old Ayew.
But now it seems relegation rivals Everton are set to win that alleged race.
Ayew is available on a free transfer after terminating his contract at Qatari side Al Sadd.
The Ghana international joined the Hammers in the summer of 2016 from Swansea City for £20.5 million (BBC). Ironically at the time he was also linked with a move to Everton.
Injuries wreaked havoc with his West Ham career, though, and he was swiftly shipped back to the Swans in January 2018 for around £20 million (BBC).
Incredibly though, Ayew was touted for a shock return to east London ahead of deadline day.
But the ex West Ham striker linked with an LS return is now on the verge of an 11th hour Everton move as a new Ayew report emerges from France.
With just hours left until the transfer window slams shut, new Everton boss Sean Dyche – who had been linked as a potential replacement for David Moyes at West Ham – is in talks to get a deal done for the African forward.
L’Équipe report this evening that Ayew is in advanced talks with West Ham’s survival rivals Everton for a return to England.
Crucially, though, as a free agent the report states that Everton will be able to negotiate a contract with the striker beyond tonight’s 11pm deadline.
“Everton will look to make the most of his experience, as they currently sit joint bottom of the top flight on points, with the least wins in the division, on three, and have recently replaced manager Frank Lampard with former Burnley man Sean Dyche,” the report states.
“His best season in the top flight came in 2015/16, when he found the net 12 times.”
It would be a stretch to say West Ham have missed out on Ayew to Everton. It smacks very much of desperation on the part of the Toffees. But that’s exactly what they are.
The Hammers had better hope their inaction during the January window – bar the arrival of injury-prone 30-year-old Danny Ings – does not cost them dear come what May.
Because the general consensus of opinion in football circles is very much that Dyche will be able to keep Everton up.
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