Cresswell, who grew up a supporter of Liverpool, played in West Ham United’s 4-0 defeat by Everton on Wednesday.
Everton have been installed as favourites to sign West Ham United defender Aaron Cresswell in January, along with Liverpool.
The pair are 4/1 to with bookmakers Bet Victor to snap up Cresswell before 3 February 2018. But could Everton really raid West Ham for the 27-year-old?
HITC takes a look…
Cresswell to Everton is certainly not difficult to dream up, the player hailing from Liverpool and having been brought to West Ham by the Toffees’ new boss Sam Allardyce, in 2014. Consider, too, that Everton’s current left-back Leighton Baines, who turns 33 later this month, is perceived by many to have entered a decline, and you can see why the Merseyside club could make a move for the West Ham player.
That said, Cresswell’s recent form is hardly endearing to prospective buyers, something Everton may have realised first hand during Wednesday’s 4-0 win against the Hammers. He, too, has a birthday this month, from which point he’ll be 28 of age – and perhaps not most ideal replacement for Baines long-term. With West Ham embroiled in a relegation battle, they’ll no doubt want to avoid selling off any of their key players in January.
Verdict:
Don’t bet on it. While Allardyce is unlikely to be deterred by Cresswell’s recent form – it was under him, after all, that the England international initially impressed at Premier League level – January is a notoriously difficult market, in which he has at least two bigger priorities to consider (up front and centre-back). He is perhaps more likely to persevere with Baines and co until the summer before he strengthens on the left. But a move for Cresswell could be on the cards then – especially if West Ham do go down.
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