Anthony Onifade

Mon 12 June 2023 14:10, UK

West Ham have emerged as winners in the race to sign Everton target Sean Moore with Cliftonville set to receive a healthy financial jackpot in the deal, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

The 17-year-old, who turns 18 in August, was one of the most talked about players in the Irish League last season, winning Young Player of the Year prizes at the NI Football Awards and Ulster Footballer of the Year Awards.

The Northern Irish newspaper reported on 23 April that the Hammers have a deal all but done to sign Moore, 17, for an initial fee of £170,000, which could rise to £500,000 due to add-ons, with Everton and several other teams interested in his services.

According to the report [12 June], Cliftonville could be set to make in the region of £500,000 from the switch with add-ons relating to the likes of first-team appearances with a hefty sell-on clause expected to be inserted in his contract at the London Stadium.

Hammers always likely

Given West Ham’s recent memorable success story in Europe, they will certainly look to beat Everton to a number of transfer targets and the transfer of such a highly-rated player in Moore could certainly hurt a few on Merseyside.

The Republic of Ireland youth international, who’s also eligible for Northern Ireland has done incredibly well in the Danske Bank Premiership for Cliftonville, scoring five goals and supplying three assists in 26 appearances this season.

There’s a reason he’s emerged as one of the brightest talents in Northern Ireland given his tremendous versatility and stark influence in the final third playing first-team football, given his young age.

A Premier League move will be a huge step up for him, especially seeing as he will potentially leave his family also. Moore could very well turn out to be a footballing gem in the future and it’s a shame for fans to see that Everton will not be the ones benefitting.

We can say there are plenty more fish in the sea, but Everton are rarely the ones attracting them.