West Ham’s first bid rejected for €20 million Everton target

Everton have been active in the transfer market in the last week or so, completing two acquisitions and on the verge of completing a third in Idrissa Gueye from PSG. The Toffees continue to be linked to Burnley attacker Maxwel Cornet, who had emerged as a target almost a month ago.

For a long time, Everton were linked to Cornet as the Ivorian looks to leave Burnley and join a Premier League team again. When Dwight McNeil links surfaced, it seemed that the Toffees had shifted their attention away from Cornet, but the team from Merseyside remained interested in both the Burnley attackers.

The McNeil deal was straightforward and the transfer was completed without any obstacles. In Cornet’s case, Burnley have been very stubborn and are not willing to accept anything less than the release clause amount. The former Olympique Lyon man has a release clause of £17.5 million and despite the interest of Everton, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United, none of the sides have triggered his release clause yet.

The Blues of Merseyside did try to offer Burnley a payment in installments which was turned down by Burnley as they remain adamant on one-shot payment of the release clause. Despite the Toffees having an agreement with the player who is ready to pen a five year deal at Goodison, a deal has not yet been struck with the Clarets.

West Ham see their bid rejected for Everton target Maxwel Cornet

Everton are still in the race but West Ham United are pushing with all their might to sign Cornet. The Hammers have been trying to sign Filip Kostic to reinforce the left flank but their pursuit has hit bumps as Juventus have seemingly shown interest in the Serbian.

The Irons are now trying to sign Cornet and as per Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor, David Moyes’ side has made an opening bid for the 25 year old attacker. However, the bid falls of Burnley’s £17 million valuation. The Clarets have no intention to accept any loan proposal as Everton have already tried to sign Cornet on a loan but with no success.

Cornet is a wanted player among Premier League teams and a move can still take place. Everton can still manage to sign him but they will have to shell out £17.5 million. He was Burnley’s top scorer with nine Premier League goals last term. With Everton needing another reliable goal scorer, Cornet could come in and ease the pressure off Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Will EFC manage to beat the competition to sign Maxwel Cornet?