It was bound to happen. Both West Ham and Everton are in need of new recruits in the January window so highly likely they’d find themselves identifying the same players. The fundamental difference is that West Ham sit in a more healthy Premier league position – but only just- six points and two precarious places above Moyes’ Everton who are in their customary relegation battle. Which in itself makes player recruitment more tricky for a club near the drop zone.
With three far worse sides currently rooted at the foot of the Premier League, most would expect both Everton and West Ham to survive- but squad strengthening this January could play a key part in survival. Both teams have identified a midfield target that is cost effective but can offer value for money in January, according to the guardian.com which links both Potter’s West Ham and Moyes’ Everton with a move for Sunderland’s Dan Neil. Both clubs will struggle, according to the report, as Sunderland are desperate to keep their club captain Neil in their own push for promotion out of the championship which is worth about twenty times more than any fee they might collect for his signature:
“West Ham are tracking the Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil but face a challenge to seal a deal this month. Sunderland are pushing for automatic promotion from the Championship and are unlikely to want to lose their captain, who also has interest from Everton. The 23-year-old is valued at about £15m. “
The only positive part of this interest would be the player’s age, significantly younger than other championship midfielders which West Ham have been linked with such as Burnley’s Josh Brownhill. Either option is pretty underwhelming, to be honest, and I’d be very happy to see David Moyes win out and spend his club’s money on an average Championship player. West Ham need to aim higher.
