West Ham’s plans for their heir to Mateus Fernandes have been wrecked by former boss David Moyes as Everton close in on a deal but there’s a silver lining for the Hammers.
As a result of relegation, the Hammers will be forced to sell some players to plug a big hole in the club’s finances.
Given the link to David Moyes, it is no real surprise that Everton have been linked with bids for a host of West Ham players.
The Toffees have held talks with West Ham over Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is expected to be sold for around £8-10m.
Moyes ruins West Ham’s Fernandes heir plan
Moyes has also been linked with moves to bring his big favourites Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek to Everton – having signed both in the same window in 2020 as Hammers boss.
But now it is a move the Scot has made elsewhere that is hitting West Ham where it hurts.
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He's good – but is he THAT good?
West Ham’s best laid plans to replace Mateus Fernandes have been hit by Moyes as Everton close in on a deal for Hayden Hackney – but there is a silver lining for the east Londoners.
West Ham insist they want to keep Fernandes despite interest from 10 elite clubs across Europe.
The Irons are expected to command a fee somewhere between £60-80m for the brilliant all-action Portuguese star.
The Hammers have been eyeing a move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hackney this summer as a replacement for Fernandes.
West Ham have been linked with Hackney in the past – when Moyes was manager at the London Stadium.
So it should be no surprise the Scot is closing on bringing him to Everton in what will be a bitter blow to the Hammers.
Everton close on Hammers target Hackney, but there’s a silver lining
According to David Ornstein, Everton are now in talks with Middlesbrough over a move for Hackney, who was named Championship player of the year.
Worse still for West Ham, the 23-year-old midfielder is keen to join the Toffees even though there is still ‘ongoing interest’ from other clubs, one of which is the Hammers.
Hackney voted the dream signing! Do you have any OTHER suggestions?
Hackney is about to enter the final year of his contract, but Ornstein claims they will not be afraid to risk losing him on a free next summer unless their valuation is met.
While the news is a bitter blow to Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans to replace Fernandes, there is some good news for the Hammers.
Because ‘Boro are expected to be one of West Ham’s major rivals for automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
Therefore Moyes signing Hackney for Everton will do his former club West Ham a massive favour as it seriously weakens Middlesbrough.
That does not solve Nuno’s problem of a replacement for Fernandes if and when he is sold.
So it will be back to the drawing board on that one.
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