West Ham are reportedly in talks over a sensational double striker swap deal with a European giant, in a move that also delivers a blow to Everton’s transfer plans.
An astonishing new claim has emerged about new West Ham transfer talks which will leave Everton boss David Moyes exasperated.
The Hammers and Toffees have shared plenty of column inches during this summer transfer window.
There were claims that Moyes wanted a reunion with out-of-favour West Ham star Tomas Soucek at Everton.
Soucek’s Czech mate Vladimir Coufal was also linked with a Moyes reunion at the Hill Dickinson Stadium but ended up at Hoffenheim instead.
West Ham and Everton were both named as potential suitors for Thierno Barry before the Friedkin Group sealed the deal for Moyes.
New transfer twist involving West Ham and Everton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was linked with the Irons yet again – as he seems to be every summer – before signing for Leeds.
West Ham were also linked with Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall before they both signed for Everton.
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The Hammers explained why they snubbed Everton new boy Grealish, but backed Moyes to get the best out of him.
It has also emerged this week that West Ham could have signed Dewsbury-Hall when Chelsea offered him in part-exchange for Mohammed Kudus plus £30m.
But the club turned it down, preferring Tottenham’s £54.5m straight cash offer over three instalments due to their money problems.
West Ham and Everton have been linked with another mutual target in the last couple of weeks.
Both Moyes and Graham Potter have put on record they feel they need more signings before the window closes in 12 days.
Graham Potter and Niclas Fullkrug after Sunderland v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
That was underlined by their hugely disappointing results to kick off the new Premier League season.
West Ham were humbled 3-0 at Sunderland while Everton were beaten 1-0 by their fellow newly-promoted side Leeds United.
The jury is out on Potter and that result has piled on the pressure.
Meanwhile there are already some dissenting voices on Merseyside over Moyes’ style of play – the same issue which ultimately led to his Hammers exit after four-and-a-half memorable years.
Both sides were brutally exposed as lacking in key areas of the pitch, particularly midfield and up front.
The ageing and immobile Niclas Fullkrug was awful up front for the Hammers, committing the most fouls in the Premier League and losing the most duels in the opening weekend.
Everton blow as West Ham enter shock double striker swap talks
It says everything about West Ham’s lack of depth that another ageing, injury-prone striker – Callum Wilson – was the only attacking player on Potter’s bench.
Everton looked completely toothless as well and it has seen renewed calls from fans of both clubs for new forwards to be signed.
But there has been a blow for Everton as West Ham enter shock double striker swap talks with giants.
Both the Irons and Blues have been heavily linked with Roma striker Artem Dovbyk in recent weeks – and not for the first time.
Ukraine international Artem Dovbyk confirmed talks with West Ham during an eye-opening interview a few months ago.
Artem Dovbyk during AS Roma v Fiorentina - Serie A
Photo by Paolo Pizzi ATPImages/Getty Images
He revealed he came close to signing for West Ham last summer before choosing Roma instead.
Dovbyk, 28, scored 17 goals in his first season with the Italian giants.
But ironically he has been pushed down the pecking order by West Ham loan flop Evan Ferguson, after he secured a surprise move to Rome.
West Ham have been linked with Dovbyk this summer, with Italian site Calciomercato claiming he is in the club’s sights.
Everton are in a better financial position than the Hammers this summer.
So when they came on the scene for Dovbyk, it looked ominous for Potter.
Now it appears West Ham have the ace card, though.
Hammers in talks to swap Fullkrug for Dovbyk, report claims
Because DajeromaTV claims talks are taking place between east London and Rome over a swap deal potentially involving Dovbyk and Fullkrug.
The report states the idea is for an initial loan swap, but the exact terms have yet to be finalised.
It is claimed West Ham are now considering the proposal and that a decision could be made ‘in the next few hours’ that would see former Girona golden boot winner Dovbyk sign for West Ham for the season with Fullkrug reuniting with Ferguson at Roma.
Loan swaps are unusual and rare.
But this one could make sense for all parties.
Fullkrug is simply not up to the pace and rigours of the Premier League, which the younger, more powerful Dovbyk would be.
Serie A is slower-paced than English football and is much better suited to Fullkrug’s game and ability levels.
With Fullkrug involved in the deal, it puts West Ham ahead of Everton in the bidding to sign Dovbyk.
It remains to be seen whether this one has legs.
But fans won’t have to wait too long to find out with the transfer deadline now fast approaching.