West Ham are preparing a bid for Anderlecht star Leander Dendoncker but the Belgian international midfielder could be heading to Everton instead.
Everton missed out on signing Youri Tielemans this summer as the Belgian starlet put pen to paper with Monaco, but they appear to have another opportunity to sign his former Anderlecht teammate.
The Sun reported in May that Everton had a £15 million bid rejected for the fresh-faced powerhouse. It was understood that manager Ronald Koeman was a big fan, but it remains to be seen whether current incumbent Sam Allardyce shares the same admiration.
But the four-time international is keen to leave the Constant Vanden Stock stadium and it is understood that Anderlecht will let Everton sign him as long as they agree to loan Dendoncker back for the rest of the 2017/18 season. Henry Onyekuru is already on loan at the reigning Belgian champions from Goodison Park.
This could come as a major blow, then, to West Ham.
It is understood that Hammers manager David Moyes is very interested in signing Dendoncker, who has indicated that he would be keen to move to the London Stadium. West Ham are mulling over making an initial £17 million bid but will not exceed £20 million.
However, it is thought that West Ham will not agree to loan Dendoncker back for the rest of the season with Moyes wanting reinforcements now.
This could give Everton the advantage. And, in another boost, Het Nieuwsblad report that Anderlecht could let Everton sign Dendoncker for less than West Ham would have to pay if they agree on that short-term loan.
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