West Ham United are now ready to follow the arrival of Gianluca Scamacca in the Premier League with a move to beat rival interest from Everton in Burnley forward Maxwel Cornet.
That’s according to Alan Nixon, who reports that the Hammers are prepared to pay above the release clause in Cornet’s Clarets contract. David Moyes is a big fan of the Ivory Coast forward, and hopes to agree a deal for his transfer to east London before the new season.
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Cornet impressed hugely after joining Burnley last summer, despite the Turf Moor natives enduring relegation to the Championship. The 25-year-old offered nine goals and an assist in 26 league outings, while hitting the net four times from the centre and five off the wing.
West Ham ready to pay Burnley £20m to beat rival interest in Maxwel Cornet
West Ham saw enough in Cornet’s performances with Burnley for Moyes to now follow up his interest after securing a £30.5m deal with Sassuolo for Scamacca. The Hammers would also be prepared to pay £20m to sign the 29-cap international the Clarets landed for £13m.
Such an offer would eclipse the long-touted £17.5m release clause Cornet is understood to have in his contract. The Athletic reported in May that Burnley agreed to include the release clause that became active under relegation to the Championship in his transfer from Lyon.
David Moyes could hold a distinct advantage in Maxwel Cornet transfer tussle
West Ham will have to contend with an array of rival Premier League interest to now sign Cornet from Burnley. The Times report play-off winners Nottingham Forest have made an offer to the Clarets worth below the exit clause in his contract after they won promotion.
Everton are also pursuing Cornet, with the Daily Mail reporting Toffees director of football Kevin Thelwell is preparing an improved offer. The Blues had initially targeted a loan move with an option to buy in 2023, per The Sun, as Frank Lampard looks to replace Richarlison.
Yet the Hammers could hold a distinct advantage over the Goodison Park outfit and Steve Cooper’s City Ground natives. The Athletic also report Cornet is particularly interested in joining a team competing in Europe, and West Ham are in the Europa Conference League.
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