West Ham have been given even more reason to want Manchester United to beat Spurs in the Europa League final as their prospects of landing a top target depends on it.
Tribal rivalries are what make football so great and there’s certainly no love lost between West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur.
It is fair to say Spurs beating Man United in the Europa League final would put a rotten cherry on the out of date cake that has been West Ham’s season.
The Hammers can finish no higher than 14th going into the final day at Ipswich.
The one consolation has been that bitter rivals Tottenham – and Man United – have been just as bad in the Premier League.
However, both have the chance to save their own seasons by lifting the Europa League in Bilbao.
Tottenham ending their long trophy drought does not bear thinking about for most West Ham fans.
Not only because it would – as a result of being the more prestigious competition – surpass West Ham’s Conference League achievement, but it would also see Tottenham qualify for the Champions League.
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West Ham’s Spurs-specific chant ‘We’ll be running around Tottenham with our European cup singing I’ve got a trophy haven’t you’ would be rendered redundant overnight.
Suffice to say the majority of Hammers supporters will be backing the Red Devils.
Now they have even more reason to be Man United fans for the day.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Because a top West Ham target has confirmed he is set to move in a statement but Spurs will crush hopes if they win the cup.
West Ham have made it clear sales are needed to fund signings this summer due to the club reaching its PSR limit.
Despite being among the most profitable clubs around, Daniel Levy has stated Spurs might have to sell to buy too, stating ‘we can’t spend what we don’t have’.
As a result, a vibrant free agent market will be attractive to the Hammers and Tottenham this summer.
The window opens in 11 days and it’s clear the London rivals need to be busy.
Hammers News revealed last month West Ham are working hard to deliver Graham Potter’s ‘dream’ signing Angel Gomes.
But as we reported at the time, Spurs have been ‘making it tough’ to get an agreement in place for the Edmonton-born midfield ace.
West Ham have been talking to versatile England midfielder Gomes on and off about a summer move to east London.
Tottenham and a number of other clubs – including Marseille – have been linked. But the prospect of Gomes signing a new deal with Lille has also been a possibility too.
Hammers News reported Graham Potter asked West Ham’s owners to bring him Gomes this summer when he first took over in January.
West Ham have held negotiations with Gomes’ agents but hit a brick wall when the player said he would not make any decisions until he had finished the season with Lille.
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
Well now Gomes has confirmed he is on the move and leaving Lille as a free agent.
The 24-year-old has confirmed his availability on his Instagram, days after another Hammers and Spurs free agent target Jonathan David did the same.
“After four unforgettable seasons in Lille, it’s time for me to say goodbye,” Gomes said in his post, which you can see below.
“This club has been more than a team — it’s been my family, my home, and a place that has shaped me both on and off the pitch.”
Hammers News understands Man United now hold the key to West Ham’s chances to beating Spurs to Gomes.
If Tottenham secure Champions League football, the Hammers have no chance of landing him ahead of their rivals, a top agent source has told this site.
It is somewhat ironic given Gomes is a former Manchester United academy product.
A Tottenham defeat in the Europa League final, though, will give West Ham level pegging.
And it may even hand the Hammers a slight advantage because Gomes will be a guaranteed starter at the London Stadium.
West Ham also have a manager in place who Gomes knows desperately wants him whereas Tottenham are set for more upheaval with Ange Postecoglou all but certain to depart at the end of the season regardless of whether they lift the Europa League or not.
In four seasons, Gomes has made 134 appearances across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing 19 assists.