Spurs have done West Ham a big favour with the James Maddison deal as details emerge ahead of an expected bid for Harvey Barnes.
Yesterday West Ham’s bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur completed the signing of James Maddison from Leicester City and it could have a big pay off for David Moyes.
Maddison, who was once linked with West Ham while at Norwich, has joined Spurs on a five-year deal. And BBC Sport reports that the fee Tottenham paid for the 26-year-old was £40m.
That is considerably lower than the £60m Leicester were initially said to be demanding. And it’s great news for the Hammers.
West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for flying attacker Harvey Barnes following his relegation with Leicester.
Tottenham had looked to be a real problem for Moyes, though, with Ange Postecoglou also rumoured to be interested.
Journalist Matt Law has previously claimed that West Ham are leading the race for Barnes, with Spurs also circling.
Then The Guardian stated West Ham boss Moyes wants to wrap up a deal to sign the 25-year-old England international as soon as the Declan Rice sale is completed.
Reports had circulated claiming Leicester valued both Maddison and Barnes at in excess of £50m each.
Then Leicester sources revealed that they see Maddison as their biggest and most lucrative asset. And the report stated they would demand at least £50m from Tottenham Hotspur.
Earlier this week The Telegraph doubled down on their claims that West Ham are in pole position to sign Barnes.
Now Spurs have done West Ham a big favour with the Maddison deal as details emerge ahead of an expected bid for Barnes.
Because if Leicester see Maddison as their biggest asset and have sold him to Spurs for £40m, then West Ham are now clearly in a fantastic position to get Barnes for a lot less.
The reported fee of £50m always looked steep for Barnes. So Hammers fans were understandably concerned the club would be priced out of a move for the exciting talent.
But with Tottenham getting the Foxes’ main man for £40m – Barnes should cost West Ham £30m at an absolute maximum.
That would be a much more reasonable figure. And with Rice’s £105m sale imminent – together with claims West Ham are the frontrunners for Barnes – we can surely expect a bid soon.
There is no love lost between West Ham and Tottenham. But the north Londoners have inadvertently done the Hammers a big favour on this one.
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