Crystal Palace, Newcastle United and West Ham United are reportedly pursuing Everton’s James McCarthy.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and James McCarthy celebrate
According to the Daily Mail, West Ham United have joined Newcastle United in the race to sign Everton midfielder James McCarthy.
McCarthy, 26, followed manager Roberto Martinez from Wigan Athletic to Everton in 2013, having impressed with the Latics following a 2009 move from Hamilton Academical.
Whilst the Irishman played 37 games or more in all competitions under Martinez, he has endured a frustrating season under his replacement Ronald Koeman, starting just seven Premier League games.
McCarthy’s season has been blighted by injuries, and with the likes of Idrissa Gueye, Morgan Schneiderlin and Tom Davies all ahead of him in the pecking order, a summer departure could be on the cards.
Watford’s Etienne Capoue in action with Everton’s James McCarthy
Now, the Daily Mail report that not only are Newcastle United and Crystal Palace continuing their pursuit of McCarthy, but West Ham United are also interested in landing him this summer.
It’s stated that, whilst manager Koeman told the Liverpool Echo earlier today that he wants to keep McCarthy at Goodison Park, the Toffees would in fact be open to selling him in a deal worth £20million.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
The report claims that Everton to help fund moves for other players, with the Toffees looking set to bring in a host of new signings at the end of the season to aid their hopes of pushing for the top four.
West Ham are certainly a new suitor for McCarthy, though whether they would be willing to spend £20million on him when they already have Mark Noble, Cheikhou Kouyate, Pedro Obiang and Havard Nordtveit available remains to be seen.
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