Everton transfer update: Ibrahim Osman emerges as target at Goodison Park amid transfer talks news
Everton are interested in FC Nordsjaelland attacker Ibrahim Osman but face losing out to West Ham, according to HITC.
The outlet reported via their website on 24 January that the Hammers have “accelerated” in transfer talks for the teenager, ahead of rival Premier League interest from the Toffees and a host of other clubs.
Brighton, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Wolves also like the Ghanian, who is said to be on the same “path to stardom” as compatriot and fellow Right to Dream academy graduate Mohammed Kudus.
Despite the interest from Goodison Park and elsewhere the £15million-rated youngster is now tipped to join the former Ajax star at the London Stadium.
Wishful thinking
Everton were once close to bringing Kudus to Merseyside but couldn’t get Ajax to accept their £15m bid following a u-turn in the wake of their big money sale of Antony to Manchester United, despite the Ghana star pushing for the move.
Perhaps if the Toffees had the freedom of greater spending power 18 months ago things would have been different, but he subsequently joined West Ham this summer in a move worth £38m [Sky Sports, 26 August].
Sean Dyche may be in charge now instead of Frank Lampard but it looks like a very similar story this month, with even the lower fee well beyond the club right now.
Given Kudus’ success with the Irons so far it would be another sore one at Goodison Park if a second Ghanian attacker from the Right to Dream academy proved a hit in the capital with Everton forced to sit by a watch thanks to the finances.
Were a loan move possible then Osman, 19, might be a very interesting alternative to Arnaut Danjuma, who has been presumed to be Lyon-bound for most of the January window but as yet is still a Toffees player.
But with so many Premier League sides in the hunt and money being spent it looks like Dyche and Kevin Thelwell never had a chance on this one.
In other Everton news, the Premier League have been held responsible with the club now “vulnerable” to losing Abdoulaye Doucouré.
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