West Ham: Everton complicate Zaza deal; Odegaard development; Ghezal update

By Sam Leveridge

Following the news that Simone Zaza was considering an offer from West Ham United from his father, the deal could be in jeopardy as both Everton and Southampton complicate matters. The Saints are now also interested in the deal, say the Sun, as Claude Puel looks to add fire power to his new side, with Nathan Redmond starting the first two games of the season up front after the sale of Graziano Pelle and Charlie Austin’s failure to make an impact at St Mary’s.

Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio also claims that Everton are set to make a move for Napoli forward Manolo Gabbiadini, which will spark the Italian club into a move for the striker who famously missed a penalty in the decisive shoot-out for his country in Euro 2016.

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Juventus are said to be demanding a £5 million loan fee with a compulsory £20 million option to buy included in the loan, more or less coming to a total fee around the same that West Ham have budgeted for a striker. Zaza would bring quality and would give cover for the injured Andre Ayew and Andy Carroll.

However, they are likely to be reluctant to enter a bidding war for the forward, and it’s unclear which of the three options would be his preferred destination.

Hammers fan may also have been forgiven for a brief moment of excitement as news emerged that French Ligue 1 club Rennes had pulled out of a loan move for Martin Odegaard, Real Madrid’s 17-year-old sensation. However, that excitement was short-lived as the reason became clear, as FIFA regulations mean that Odegaard cannot go out on loan to a club outside of Spain unless the transfer is permanent while he is still a minor, and will not be allowed to leave on an international loan until he reaches his 18th birthday.

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Madrid are not interested in entertaining such a deal and as such the deal is off. West Ham had hoped to secure Odegaard’s services on loan to provide depth, but the youngster is now left in limbo. Few Spanish clubs are interested in taking on the Norwegian and he faces playing for Real Madrid’s B team in the Spanish third division at least until Christmas, when he reaches 18 years of age and will be permitted to leave on loan to another country by FIFA.

Whilst a move for Lyon winger Rachid Ghezzal also looked unlikely with Everton favourites to sign the Algerian, he has recently favoured a move to the London Stadium as he made it clear that he was only interested in a move to a club with European football on offer, according to the Evening Standard, which the Goodison Park outfit cannot offer this season, whilst the Irons can.

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However, Ghezzal has now turned down the London club too as he seeks talks with Lyon club bosses to see him stay at the French club despite having fallen out with them as he previously sought a move earlier in the window. Now, he looks set to perform a U-turn and remain with his current club to the cost of West Ham.

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