West Ham are reportedly trying again to sign defender Jean-Clair Todibo but have a Liverpool star in their sights if it does not work out.
Earlier this year West Ham target Jean-Clair Todibo was being linked with Liverpool.
Liverpool Echo quoted Todibo’s agent when explaining he had chosen Barca over the Reds previously.
Fast forward a few months and it is West Ham who are essentially leading the race for the French centre-back.
It should be no real surprise that Liverpool are no longer in the running for the 24-year-old.
Man United co-owners INEOS run Nice and have been blocked from signing Todibo themselves by UEFA, prompting West Ham’s £30m move.
Hammers trying again for Todibo
So INEOS are hardly going to sell Todibo to their fiercest rivals Liverpool.
West Ham’s own move was accepted by Nice as they look to pair Todibo with Max Kilman.
But the player himself snubbed the move as he wants to join rival suitors Juventus.
The problem is Juve have serious financial issues and simply cannot match West Ham’s offer.
That has prompted technical director Tim Steidten – who was heavily linked with Liverpool before the recent restructure at Anfield – to try again for Todibo with an improved West Ham offer.
Some Hammers fans feel a U-turn from the ex Toulouse man would be too good to be true.
But West Ham have a Liverpool back-up plan ready if their new Todibo move fails.
West Ham have Liverpool back-up plan if new Todibo move fails
Hammers News understands West Ham have held internal discussions about a potential move for Joe Gomez should Todibo be a no-go.
And it coincides with reports overnight that Gomez is now open to leaving Liverpool.
Reports claim Gomez has made his mind up after being used as a makeweight in an offer to Newcastle for Anthony Gordon.
The England centre-back, who – crucially – can also operate in both full-back positions, has been linked with West Ham in the past.
Signing homegrown players is important for the Hammers this summer in order to meet the Premier League’s quota.
Our information is that should the renewed push for Todibo fail to bear fruit, West Ham will pick up the phone to Liverpool about potentially signing Gomez.
Todibo no-go could prompt move for Joe Go
Gomez’s contract at Liverpool runs until 2027. So the Reds would be under no pressure to sell to West Ham.
But The Telegraph has claimed in the last 24 hours that the London-born 27-year-old ‘can leave for the right price’.
That report suggests Liverpool value Gomez at north of £30-35m. And West Ham may have made a rod for their own backs by setting a high bar with their £40m acquisition of Kilman.
So it seems a move for Gomez would very much be a back-up.
Steidten has showed in negotiations with Leeds for Crysencio Summerville that he can get excellent value for money after striking a £25m deal.
West Ham will certainly be monitoring Gomez’s situation at Liverpool over the coming days and weeks.
Todibo would likely be the cheaper option.
A return to London could appeal to Gomez.
And having an all-English central defensive partnership that could be the foundation of a West Ham side for several years to come very much appeals to West Ham.
But only if, as with Summerville, it is at the right price.
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