West Ham have been put on on high alert after a journalist’s shock new Everton transfer claim ahead of the summer window.
One of Julen Lopetegui’s biggest jobs this summer will be working with Tim Steidten to bring a top class striker to West Ham.
And it seems Everton might find themselves in the same position.
West Ham desperately need to sign a bona fide forward as an absolute priority.
Everton’s financial struggles may dictate what they can or can’t do in the summer window.
West Ham did not replace Gianluca Scamacca after selling him last summer, ageing Danny Ings has been the latest in a long list of failed striker signings and Michail Antonio turns 35 next term.
Ironically both Ings and Antonio have been linked with moves to Everton in recent windows.
Striker issues for West Ham and Everton
The Hammers and Toffees reportedly competed for Beto previously and he went to Goodison Park.
But the jury is still out on the Portuguese.
West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen striker experiment has had mixed results.
Many feel he offers West Ham more from his preferred position on the right. And Mohammed Kudus has made it clear he wants to play in his own preferred central role.
The Hammers have been linked with a number of forwards ahead of Lopetegui and Steidten’s big rebuild.
Youssef En-Nesyri, Ivan Toney and Serhou Guirassy to name but three.
But a development at Everton may just see a familiar name put back on West Ham’s striker shortlist.
West Ham on high alert after shock new Everton claim
West Ham will be on high alert after a journalist’s shock new Everton transfer claim.
Because according to Alan Nixon, Everton could sell Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer – nearly one year after West Ham were quoted £60m to sign him.
Calvert-Lewin has rediscovered some fitness and something like his best form for Everton this season.
Nixon says Everton want him to sign a new contract. But the Toffees will sell Calvert-Lewin if he rejects it given their financial situation.
“Everton want to offer striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin a new deal – but will sell him if he says no,” Nixon said on his Patreon.
“Everton will sell players this summer because of to their financial issues. Calvert-Lewin is one they want to keep but would trade if they had to.”
Proven Calvert-Lewin back on Hammers list?
That could play into West Ham’s hands at the perfect time.
Given the type of forward the Hammers are being linked with – your Toney’s, En-Nesyri’s and Guirassy’s – Calvery-Lewin fits the profile.
He is a proven Premier League goalscorer and, crucially, ticks the homegrown status box for West Ham.
It would be a calculated risk due to Calvert-Lewin’s injury record.
But West Ham would likely be able to get him for a much-reduced fee compared to other top forwards.
David Moyes has spoken recently about his failure to find a striker last summer. The Scot claimed he felt there was a dearth of forwards across the planet.
It remains to be seen whether Lopetegui and Steidten go for Calvert-Lewin.
This new revelation will definitely put the 27-year-old on their radar for West Ham’s summer rebuild.
Particularly after it was revealed Steidten is already working on signing a striker and two centre-backs for Lopetegui as his highest priority.