Everton sing Song’s tune as West Ham stutter

Given the inflated transfer fees that have become commonplace in the modern game, it seems something of a bargain to find a well-regarded international midfielder available for under £4m.

So it’s somewhat perplexing to find that, after his successful loan spell there last season, West Ham have yet to agree a fee with Barcelona for Cameroon ace Alex Song.

With personal terms believed to have been settled, and the Hammers having already demonstrated their financial muscle in bringing in Dmitri Payet, Angelo Ogbonna and Pedro Obiang to the club for hefty fees, the fact Song is yet to join them is a surprise.

West Ham’s hard-balling with the Catalan club may yet come to be their undoing as fresh reports suggest that Roberto Martinez is happy to match Barcelona’s asking price in order to bolster his Everton midfield.

Martinez will also be keen to use the move to add a more positive spin on transfer activity at Goodison Park, where negative discourse has descended on some sections of fans worried that the club is ready to cash in on its prized assets, with John Stones in particular attracting attention from Chelsea and envious glances bound to be cast towards an in-form Ross Barkley

Spanish Sports news outlet Fichajes is reporting that the Toffees have bid £3.5m for the player who made 28 Premier League appearances last season and who is believed to be keen to make a return to England to play his football.

The same source suggests that while Song would prefer a move to London, Martinez is confident of getting the player to give the veritable sights and sounds of Liverpool a chance to impress him.

Whether the Toffees’ interest will prompt West Ham to return to the table should become apparent in the next few days, though with Song having recently undergone minor surgery to remove a piece of floating bone in his ankle, it may be concerns over the speed of his recovery that is causing the hesitancy in east London.

Should it come out as a choice between the two for Song, he might consider the odds on their respective chances of finishing in the top six, with Everton at 11/4 being considered a better option than the Hammers, at 14/1.

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

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