West Ham eye Spurs midfielder after stellar loan campaign

Tottenham’s loss has been Hull’s gain in central midfield this season, with the saturated market in the middle of the White Hart Lane pitch leaving Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore to form an impressive partnership for the Tigers.

Huddlestone’s play has led to whispers of an England call-up, albeit from his own manager, but as he’s been tied down to a permanent deal at the KC Stadium, it’s left the vultures to circle around Livermore as a potential new recruit this summer.

Steve Bruce is obviously in pole position to land the 24-year-old, having managed him to a string of eye-catching performances in a campaign that’s seen Hull all but secure their Premier League status as 80/1 shots for relegation and reach the FA Cup final – a competition they are 12/5 to win.

But should any snags hit a potential £6m move, West Ham are positioning themselves close by to pick up the slack.

Sam Allardyce will be looking to strengthen in midfield having fallen out of love with precocious talent Ravel Morrison, while the advancing years of Matt Taylor and Kevin Nolan mean a look to the future is necessary.

Livermore’s all-round game would aid West Ham, who are 11/10 to beat Crystal Palace next time out, as his passing ability would be almost unrivalled if me moved to Upton Park.

The Spurs man is attempting 46.1 passes per game at his temporary home this season, a tally that only Mark Noble betters in the entire West Ham squad.

Of those Livermore passes, 83 per cent found their intended target, which is a success rate that betters Noble and the rest of the Hammers employees.

Capable in defence too, the seven-time loanee will surely seek a permanent move at the end of this season. He could find worse homes than the east London outfit who sit seven points clear of relegation and two places above Hull.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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