West Ham United exit update on Maxwel Cornet, Everton wanted transfer
Roshane Thomas has said West Ham are yet to receive any January approaches for outcast Maxwel Cornet despite interest in the summer from Everton.
The Ivory Coast international has managed just one Premier League appearance this campaign, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute in the Hammers’ opening league game against Bournemouth.
Even with Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus unavailable against Brighton & Hove Albion, David Moyes left the 27-year-old on the bench for the duration of the match as West Ham played out a 0-0 stalemate.
“West Ham have not received any approaches for Cornet, but he attracted interest from Everton last summer,” Thomas wrote for The Athletic on Wednesday (3 January).
“With Kudus and Paqueta unavailable, Cornet’s pace makes him a better option than Fornals on the right flank, but a place in the starting XI has not been forthcoming.”
Just hasn’t worked out
Few West Ham fans were persuaded when the club bought Cornet in the summer of 2022 from Burnley, signing on a five-year deal with a one-year extension option. However, it is highly unlikely that the club trigger the extension option.
The winger, who can also deputise at full-back, has made just 28 appearances in a season and a half at London Stadium. He did make a brilliant cameo against TSC Backa Topola, registering an assist for Tomas Soucek’s winning goal but has not played since.
Moyes has admitted that the player had suffered with injury for five months but that is no excuse for his lack of impact for the rest of his time at West Ham.
With 19-year-old Divin Mubama the only substitute Moyes used last night, attempting to grab more than just a point against fellow mid-table side Brighton, Cornet’s future at the club is very clear.
It is a shame, with the pacey winger playing really promising football during his one season at Burnley, scoring nine goals in a tough season for the Clarets. However, Cornet has never kicked on since his move to London in 2022.
His injury record makes it difficult for many clubs to be interested but West Ham will be hoping to offload him as soon as possible.
In other West Ham news, Fabrizio Romano reports that a departure from the London Stadium is set to be finalised with a six-figure fee attached.