Everton aiming to hijack West Ham’s deal for £33.5m Lille midfielder
Everton have matched West Ham’s offer for Lille midfielder Amadou Onana in a bid to hijack the £33.5m deal.
The Belgium international had yet to agree terms with West Ham after their offer was accepted, and is understood to be more open to linking up with Frank Lampard at Goodison Park.
The Toffees are also understood to be offering better personal terms to the 20-year-old.
Everton have matched West Ham’s offer for Lille and Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana
The 20-year-old scored once in 32 Ligue 1 games in the 2021-22 season and made his debut for the senior Belgium side in June against Holland.
He is understood to be more open to linking up with Frank Lampard (left) than David Moyes
Onana was a regular for the French club last season, and could be a handy replacement for retiring Hammers legend Mark Noble.
David Moyes would have an enviable set of midfield options if the east London side can sign Onana, with Flynn Downes having already joined from Swansea this summer.
Flynn Downes has already strengthened the Hammers midfield after joining from Swansea
But Lampard is also keen on strengthening his midfield options on Merseyside and they are close to agreeing a deal to bring Idrissa Gueye back to the club.
The 32-year-old is up for sale after being deemed surplus to requirements by new PSG boss Christophe Galtier.
Everton are close to an agreement to re-sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Idrissa Gueye
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Gueye swapped Everton for the French capital in the summer of 2019 after becoming a fan favourite at Goodison Park.
The midfielder made over 100 appearances for the Toffees between 2016 and 2019.
Dwight McNeil, James Tarkowski and Ruben Vinagre have all joined the Toffees, while a swoop for Gueye would offer some stability in midfield.