Lille midfielder Amadou Onana has decided to join Everton over West Ham after being convinced by manager Frank Lampard.
That’s according to Foot Mercato, who back up reports of an effort by Everton to beat the Hammers to his signature.
Claims in both France and England have made it clear the Toffees have made their move for the 20-year-old, with it claimed he prefers Everton over West Ham.
FM follow that up, explaining David Moyes and co ‘made the financial effort’ to convince Lille by offering €35m plus €5m in bonuses. That was initially rejected but West Ham returned with a €40m bid and an agreement was struck.
They could not do the same with the player, though, and that’s because Everton ‘inserted themselves’ into proceedings.
According to FM’s information, Everton manager Frank Lampard called the midfielder ‘to convince him’ and it worked.
He is now ‘prioritising’ a move to Goodison Park over the London Stadium, even though Everton barely avoided relegation last season and West Ham can offer European football.
The Blues are yet to reach an agreement with Lille over the fee and it will probably take the same €40m West Ham offered for them to do so.
That’s the figure the French side want as they are facing a major turnover of their squad and are yet to get the necessary signings through the door to do so.
