Transfer News

How West Ham have handed Everton a late boost ahead of Thursday’s 11pm deadline

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Everton have been remarkably quiet in the January transfer window, due to the threadbare nature of their quality-lacking squad.

However, Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell simply have no other choice but to remain as such, without the necessary funds to bolster this squad.

They have their hands tied, as they continue to be hamstrung by failures made years before their arrival.

Therefore, the main target for the window has been not to add to the squad, but to ensure that it is not weakened any further.

Now, a Premier League rival might just have made a transfer move to ensure that things will stay just the way they are. Whether that is a good thing is something that might need reassessing as the season draws to an end. 

How have West Ham helped Everton in the January transfer window?

West Ham United reportedly had the chance to give the Toffees a big boost earlier in January by selling Pablo Fornals to Real Betis, thus allowing them to snag Luis Henrique from the Spanish side.

West Ham United v Everton FC - Premier League
Photo by West Ham United FC/Getty Images

And whilst that did not come to fruition, it seems David Moyes is not yet finished in his efforts to aid his former employers.

After all, much of the recent Everton transfer news has been dominated by the future of Arnaut Danjuma and whether he might trade Merseyside for Lyon given their interest.

However, that seems set to be a scuppered switch now, as the French outfit seemingly have their sights set elsewhere. Journalist Jack Rosser notes: ‘Exclusive: West Ham and Lyon have agreed a fee of just over £15million for the sale of Said Benrahma. Deal not done yet though. Benrahma yet to decide on whether to move and there are still details to sort out with his representatives on the Lyon side.’

Is Arnaut Danjuma leaving Everton?

Given his agent effectively came out and hinted that a move to Lyon was preferred, it remains a miracle that Danjuma remains an Everton player.

In fact, last night against Fulham he showcased exactly why he could still be so important for Dyche in the run-in, with his direct and forward-thinking play style a refreshing change of pace from the likes of Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil.

However, with Lyon having opted for a different winger, forking out for the Hammers’ Algerian maestro, it seems that they have now filled the spot that Danjuma might have occupied.

As such, he must now knuckle down and try to make that key impact to steer the Toffees out of the relegation zone once again.

The quality he exhibited in glimpses last night made him stand out, and he really should have put the visitors in front in the first half.

This was not the first time he has threatened when featuring either, as he starred against Aston Villa, threading Dominic Calvert-Lewin clean through on goal, and offered a relentless goal threat on the road against Tottenham Hotspur.

Fulham FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images

Should he find a little more consistency and stop snatching at his chances, Danjuma might prove pivotal in pushing Everton to safety once again.

And his continued presence is now owed to Moyes.