Football
Exclusive: Everton Ready to Bide Their Time for Callum Wilson as West Ham U-Turn Blocks January Exit
Everton is prepared to wait until summer to sign West Ham striker Callum Wilson on a free transfer. Wilson has caught the eye of Everton manager David Moyes, with Leeds United also interested. However, Hammers' U-turn means both clubs will have to wait for Wilson's contract to expire. Despite his age, Wilson has impressed with five goals this season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United - Premier League by James Gill - Danehouse | Getty Images
Everton are ready to wait until the summer to try and sign West Ham striker Callum Wilson when he becomes a free agent, SportsBoom can exclusively.
The Toffees have been working hard behind the scenes to try and sign Wilson after it emerged the Hammers were close to terminating his current contract.
The former England, Newcastle United and Bournemouth hitman signed for the East London club on a one-year deal on a free transfer in August having been released by the Magpies after six seasons at St James’ Park.
As exclusively reported by SportsBoom last week, Leeds United have expressed an interest in trying to sign the experienced centre-forward.
But recent developments means both Everton and Leeds will now have to wait to try and sign Wilson after his contract expires later this year.
Wilson scored a dramatic injury-time winner as the Hammers claimed a memorable 2-1 victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadum, a victory which heaped pressure on under-fire Spurs boss Thomas Frank.
Wilson has impressed this seasons for the Hammers having scored five goals in 19 games, but at 33 he is heading towards the end of his career respectively.
ADMIRER
But our sources understand Everton boss David Moyes is a big admirer of the player and feels he could do a decent job for his team.
However, no one expected the Hammers’ incredible U-turn to keep Wilson, especially with negotiations for him to leave early had nearly reached a head.
Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo has signed Tati Castellanos and Pablo Felipe to bolster his side’s firepower.
And knowing that his first-team opportunities would likely become limited, Wilson and the club held talks about an early departure.
The whole sage has taken a 360 spin with a senior member of the Hammers’ board having vetoed Wilson leaving, especially with the club languishing third from bottom in the table and facing Premier League relegation.
“Callum is a very experienced man, he's been in the game for so much time, he knows that his position has changed,” revealed Santo.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.