Dominic Calvert-Lewin has broken his silence with a major update on his Everton future and West Ham have now responded.
West Ham have been linked with Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin in almost every window for the past four years.
It has been reported that the Toffees are signing a star tipped for the Hammers – striker Thierno Barry.
Graham Potter and David Moyes have made signing new forwards and midfielders a top priority in the summer transfer window.
Calvert-Lewin makes major announcement on Everton future
When the Hammers are in the market for a striker – which seems to be every single transfer window – links to Everton’s Calvert-Lewin are never far away.
It is inevitable that West Ham and Everton will be in the same market for certain targets this summer.
Indeed, some players have been linked with moves between the two clubs.
Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and Michail Antonio have all been linked with a Moyes reunion at Everton’s impressive new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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As inevitable as death and taxes, the Hammers have been linked with Calvert-Lewin yet again too.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin gets the better of Maximilian Kilman as they fight for the ball during the Premier League clash between West Ham United and Everton
Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images
With no money to spend until sales are made, it is inevitable West Ham would be linked to players available on free transfers.
Earlier this month a report claimed West Ham had spoken to Everton to find out the status of Calvert-Lewin’s situation amid some talk Moyes wanted him to stay and sign a new deal.
It was stated the Irons are prepared to better Calvert-Lewin’s current £100k per week Everton salary in order to bring him to the London Stadium.
The article even reported West Ham are ‘confident’ that the chance for the 28-year-old to lead a new-look attack under Potter, combined with a significant wage offer, could help seal the deal.
West Ham respond as to Calvert-Lewin statement
Given Calvert-Lewin’s age and history of injury issues, Hammers fans have been questioning the wisdom of such a move.
Now West Ham have responded as Calvert-Lewin makes a major announcement on his Everton future.
Calvert-Lewin, who has 89 career goals for club and country including 71 in 273 appearances for Everton in all competitions, has made a big announcement on his future.
He has revealed he has ‘made the difficult decision’ to leave Everton and seek a new chapter in his career.
In a lengthy statement on social media, the striker said it has been one of the hardest decisions of his life.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
“After nine remarkable years at this club, I’ve made the incredibly difficult decision, together with my family, to begin a new chapter in my career,” Calvert-Lewin said.
“This isn’t something I chose lightly. Everton has been my home since I was 19 years old. It’s the place that saw potential in me, challenged me to grow, and shaped me both as a footballer and as a man…
“This choice to move on was not simply about me, it was a decision my family and I spent a long time considering together.
“We believe it’s the right moment to seek a new challenge and continue growing, but that doesn’t lessen the bond I’ll always have with Everton.”
Hammers make Calvert-Lewin stance clear once again
With Danny Ings being released, loan flop Evan Ferguson sent back to Brighton, Michail Antonio potentially departing and Niclas Fullkrug up for sale, Calvert-Lewin’s announcement that he is now a free agent means fresh links with West Ham are unavoidable.
When Hammers News asked the club’s owners earlier this month whether they want to sign Calvert-Lewin, the response was emphatic.
The top spokesman for West Ham’s board insisted there was “no truth” to the Calvert-Lewin links.
The Hammers went on to state the striker’s “injuries are the problem”.
With no sign of any signings or sales to fund Potter’s rebuild, has that stance changed in light of Calvert-Lewin’s announcement?
Hammers News put it to the most senior contact at the club whether Calvert-Lewin is a player of interest.
The response was once again emphatic.
“No change, not interested,” the spokesman for the board told Hammers News.