Everton want to beat West Ham to a top young star but are at a major disadvantage – thanks to their own manager David Moyes.
West Ham and Everton are on a collision course in their bid to overhaul their squads for their new managers.
Everton made Graham Potter their number one target to take over from Sean Dyche.
That prompted West Ham, who had Potter on standby to replace Julen Lopetegui, to finally pull the trigger for fear of missing out.
The fact the Toffees were willing to offer Potter a two-and-a-half-year deal meant the Hammers had to match it, having planned to hand the Englishman an initial six-month contract.
A desire to remain living in Brighton and commute to his new job also helped West Ham win the race.
Having missed out, Everton brought back David Moyes instead with the two managers appointed just days apart in January.
Now the owners of both clubs will have to back their men this summer.
West Ham’s new head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay is already plotting a youthful overhaul.
Moyes has also stated Everton will be in a better position to spend in the next window.
Everton hijack West Ham move for powerhouse
One area both clubs want and need to strengthen is at centre-back.
Potter is looking for a third central defender to play alongside Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo.
And Moyes may be pushed into a big new defensive signing with the future of the excellent Jarrad Branthwaite a source of constant speculation.
Now Everton are looking to hijack a West Ham move for a powerhouse but Moyes has given his old club the edge.
Last month a top Italian journalist confirmed West Ham have contacted Genoa about signing defender Koni De Winter in the summer.
De Winter is a pacy, versatile 22-year-old Belgian centre-back who can also play full-back on both sides.
The 6ft 3in powerhouse can even operate as a defensive midfielder.
De Winter had been at Juventus but was loaned to Genoa, who made his move permanent for around £6m last summer.
De Winter is coming as Hammers and Toffees eye Belgian
When the Hammers made contact with Genoa, it was stated De Winter is very much appreciated by Potter and Macaulay.
Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed De Winter will be on his way to the Premier League this summer.
The transfer reporter says Premier League clubs have made initial approaches.
Koni De Winter could leave Genoa in the summer as Premier League and Serie A clubs have started initial approaches.
22 year old centre back, attracting strong interest with potential move expected to happen. pic.twitter.com/QAEkeYJkvL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 22, 2025
West Ham’s interest is already confirmed but now Everton have entered the running too.
Journalist Rudy Galetti has told TEAMtalk that the Toffees have approached Genoa as they join the Hammers in trying to sign De Winter.
And their need may become more acute if they receive an offer that is too good to refuse for Branthwaite.
The problem for Everton is that Moyes has inadvertently given his old club the upper hand, in the most ironic way.
Moyes has given old club West Ham the edge for signing
West Ham fans were convinced Moyes had a vendetta against Maxwel Cornet.
The Scot and then head of recruitment Rob Newman paid £17.5m to bring Cornet to east London from Burnley.
But he made just four starts in two years with reports Moyes had taken umbrage to Cornet wanting to do his rehabilitation from a calf injury over in France rather than in London.
Cornet was actually linked with Everton on several occasions during his nightmare Hammers spell.
That was no great surprise given Dyche was his manager at Burnley.
But the move never happened and the Ivory Coast winger was shipped out on loan to Southampton last summer instead.
The loan proved disastrous with Cornet making one start in half a season for the relegation certs.
Curious case of Cornet comes back to haunt Moyes
West Ham recalled the 28-year-old and sent him to Serie A side Genoa instead.
And that is where the Hammers have the edge over Everton for De Winter.
Because Cornet has been rejuvenated at Genoa, scoring two brilliant goals and laying on an assist in two starts.
Patrick Vieira has been so impressed, Tuttomercatoweb claim he has made signing Cornet permanently one of his top priorities this summer.
Genoa are not flush financially.
So the prospect of including Cornet in a deal for De Winter has been floated.
That will not only keep the cost down for the Hammers but sweeten the deal to ensure they beat Everton to the big Belgian.
If Moyes didn’t regret the Cornet signing already, he certainly will now.
