West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur have been jostling behind the scenes to secure the signature of a coveted star this January.
There’s not much to choose between West Ham and Tottenham this season.
The London rivals are enduring torrid Premier League campaigns.
That has cost Julen Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten their jobs at West Ham.
It could soon cost Ange Postecoglou his job at Spurs.
Pressure has been piling on Hammers majority owner David Sullivan and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.
Fans of both clubs have been highly critical of Levy and Sullivan.
Supporters are demanding their club brings players in during the January transfer window to try and salvage their respective seasons.
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That has put West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur on a collision course for one player in particular.
West Ham and Spurs battling for coveted star Gomes
West Ham have been talking to the representatives of versatile England midfielder Angel Gomes.
But West Ham’s hopes of a deal were put in jeopardy by Spurs this week.
Journalist Graeme Bailey revealed Graham Potter has asked West Ham’s owners to bring him Gomes.
The Lille midfielder can sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of France this month for a free transfer in the summer.
Bailey claimed Sullivan has been pushing to give what he wants.
But no sooner were the Hammers making enquiries than Tottenham were linked with the versatile 24-year-old Gomes too.
Word from agent sources in the last week suggested West Ham looked set to win the race with Graham Potter desperate to improve his slow, ageing, immobile midfield.
A senior source inside West Ham has confirmed to Hammers News that negotiations have been taking place with Gomes’ agents Gol International.
But Tottenham have made it clear they want Edmonton-born Gomes too, putting any Hammers deal in danger.
Gomes breaks silence on claims he’s chosen Spurs over West Ham
In fact it’s been claimed by Give Me Sport that Gomes has made his preference clear and wants to join Tottenham over the Irons.
Now the coveted star has broken his silence on the claim he’s chosen to join Spurs over West Ham.
Gomes, who impressed as a midfield lynchpin for England recently, has been speaking exclusively to Fabrizio Romano about the links to West Ham and Tottenham.
When it was put to him he had chosen his next destination – namely Spurs – Gomes issued a clear response.
He knows the clubs mentioned are interested in signing him.
But he is focusing only on Lille for the rest of the season and will make a decision on his next club then.
“I’m aware of clubs inquiring about my situation, but I’m now completely focused on Lille,” Gomes told Romano.
“I want to finish the season in the best way possible and then we will see what happens.
“I’m focused on the present and not on negotiations.”
One thing that does seem clear is Gomes won’t be staying at Lille.
Amid his contract situation, the former Man United academy graduate has found himself on the bench for the Ligue 1 club of late.
Gomes can play in a multitude of positions in midfield and seems the ideal signing for Potter.
West Ham may have an advantage with the uncertainty over Postecoglou.
Should Tottenham change manager that may well see the focus shift away from Gomes.
He clearly won’t be leaving Lille in this window and it seems West Ham will have to wait until the end of the season to learn the player’s big decision.