West Ham United will reportedly compete with Everton to sign 24-year-old Ghanaian international Tariq Lamptey from fellow Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
According to a report by Caught Offside, Tariq Lamptey is the subject of interest from West Ham United. Julen Lopetegui wants the East London club to dip into the market for a versatile full-back, with the Brighton & Hove Albion wide player emerging as a target. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old is also on Everton’s wishlist.
Tariq Lamptey and his career so far
Tariq Lamptey has endured a topsy-turvy ride since rising in prominence at Chelsea nearly half a dozen years ago. A native of London, he spent most of his formative years in his home city, rising through the ranks at Chelsea before breaking into the first-team squad in the 2019/20 season.
However, the West London club parted ways with Lamptey soon after he made his first-team bow, selling him to fellow Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion. While the 24-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance in the last four and a half years, he has not been the undisputed first-choice full-back for the Seagulls.
The Ghanaian international has turned out over 100 times thus far for Brighton while chipping in with three goals and ten assists. However, Lamptey faces an uncertain future at the Amex Stadium after falling in the pecking order for full-backs after Ferdi Kadioglu arrived in the summer transfer window. The situation has not gone unnoticed, alerting Premier League clubs like Everton and West Ham United.
Move across the Premier League on the cards?
Everton’s interest in Tariq Lamptey is understandable. The Toffees are scouring the market for a right-back heading into the two transfer windows next year. With Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young in the twilight of their careers, Everton can do with a replacement. So, Lamptey is a viable target for the Merseyside club.
As for West Ham United, the East London club signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the summer transfer window. So, it is unclear why Lamptey is on West Ham’s wishlist. However, with the former Chelsea full-back capable of playing as a left-back equally adeptly, he can be an option worth considering.
Julen Lopetegui is an admirer of the 24-year-old Ghanaian international. While the Spanish tactician faces an uncertain future at the London Stadium, the Hammers remain keen on landing Lamptey. It will be interesting to see if they can beat Everton to his signature next year.
