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West Ham have themselves to blame as Everton reportedly near Oguzhan Ozyakup deal

A dejected looking David Moyes manager of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at London Stad...
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Everton are clear favourites to bring Besiktas’ Oguzhan Ozyakup to the Premier League – despite a late hijacking attempt from West Ham United.

Turkey's midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup celebrates his team's victory at the end of the Euro 2016 group D football match between Czech Republic and Turkey at Bollaert-Delelis stadium in Lens...

West Ham United only have themselves to blame as they look like missing out on an excellent deal to sign Oguzhan Ozyakup.

According to Turkish publication Aksam, Everton are getting closer and closer to completing the signing of the Besiktas midfielder on a free transfer when his contract runs down at the end of this season.

Ozyakup’s agent Kees Vos has been in negotiations with the Toffees and it is expected that the 25-year-old, a driving force behind Besiktas’ successive Super Lig title wins, will sign a pre-contract agreement sooner rather than later.

Besiktas' midfielder  Oguzhan Ozyakup (R) drives the ball past Club Brugge's defender Brandon Mechele during in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 match between Club Brugge KV  and...

This is the culmination of many months of speculation with Everton having watched Ozyakup closely since the middle of Autumn.

So why West Ham have decided to throw their hat into the ring at this late stage, according to Aksam, is anyone’s guess.

The Hammers were linked last summer by La Provence when Ozyakup was valued at £17.6 million but they have been completely absent from the race ever since with Arsenal, Everton and Newcastle United the Premier League clubs seemingly keen on signing the Turkish international for absolutely nothing.

A dejected looking David Moyes manager of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Watford and West Ham United at Vicarage Road on November 19, 2017 in Watford, England.

It is no secret that West Ham manager David Moyes wants a dynamic central midfielder who could provide a presence at both ends of the pitch and the athletic, technical and creative Ozyakup would have ticked a lot of boxes.

But it seems that they have simply joined the race again far too late.