West Ham United are ready to battle it out with Everton for the signature of Sunderland midfield star Dan Neil.
According to a report from Football Insider, West Ham United and Everton are both keen on signing Sunderland skipper Dan Neil. David Moyes is a massive admirer of the English midfielder and is pushing hard to bring him to the Merseyside club, but the Hammers are willing to go toe-to-toe with them.
Neil has been a part of the Sunderland setup since his childhood days. He went up the ranks at some pace and has been a part of their first team since the summer of 2021. He has only gone from strength to strength over the years.
At just 23, he is the skipper of the Black Cats and has been sensational this season as they push for a return to the Premier League. They are almost certain to finish in a playoff spot and will be hoping to secure promotion, as it will go a long way in helping them keep Neil at the club.
But if they fail to return to the top flight, Sunderland might be forced to sell one of their best players. He will only have a year left on his deal this summer, and Premier League clubs Everton and West Ham are both pushing for his signature.
Who will win the race for Neil’s signature?
The Hammers are well aware of his situation and would love to have the opportunity to sign another top talent from the Championship. Given the kind of success Jarrod Bowen has had after joining them from Hull City, they are keen on ensuring they win the race for Neil amidst interest from rivals Everton.
West Ham boss Graham Potter sees him as an ideal replacement for Carlos Soler, whose loan spell is unlikely to be extended. Meanwhile, the Toffees’ interest is driven by their manager, David Moyes. The Scottish manager has done an incredible job since taking charge of the Merseyside club, and he has already identified a few areas that he wants to bolster ahead of next season.
Moyes is keen on having a new central midfielder who can help him control the tempo of the game. The 23-year-old Sunderland midfielder is a massive favourite of the Everton boss, and he wants him in his squad at all costs. If the Black Cats fail to secure promotion, the Hammers and the Toffees could square up against each other to sign Neil.
