IRELAND GOALKEEPER KEIREN Westwood is believed to be on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs after a fine season with Sheffield Wednesday.
The 31-year-old Manchester-born stopper — whose place in Ireland’s Euro 2016 remains uncertain — has played 37 times in all competitions this season, and was part of a Wednesday side that narrowly missed out on promotion.
The Daily Mail reports that Everton, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Hull City are all considering bids for the £3 million-rated player, who manager Carlos Carvalhal last month described as “the best goalkeeper in the Championship”.
However, despite their failure to reach the Premier League, Carvalhal insists there won’t be a major overhaul of his squad this summer.
In addition, despite an eye-catching display in the play-off final against Hull at Wembley, Westwood admitted he was still unsure over whether he would travel as part of Ireland’s 23-man Euro 2016 squad.
“Hopefully I will be in the squad,” he told reporters. “You will have to ask Martin O’Neill who his number one is.
“I honestly don’t know if the final will have helped my cause. It is a question for the manager.”
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Would be a super signing for Everton.
Hes better than Robles but Everton have to push the boat out this year to try and make an impact so id like to see an attempt to get maybe Begovic or Sirigu…..
Westwood is a better keeper than Sirigu? Is that just your opinion or is it based on any kind of test or proof?
Sirigu is miles better than Westwood, Christ above. Weatwood is still a good prem keeper, but not at Sirigus level.
I thought Westwood’s responses in this were quite telling. Asked about his chances of being in the 23 squad, he replies: “Hopefully…. You’ll have to ask Martin O’Neill who his number one is.” If that wasn’t a shot across the bows, I don’t know what is. And you can extend that debate still further. Beyond goalkeeper, does O’Neill even know who his first choice centre backs are? I’ve my own preferences, but does anyone know O’Neill’s? I certainly don’t.
There has to be more to this then meets the eye. Westwood must have said or done something to piss O Neill off or maybe he’s not a positive character in the squad.
Otherwise it defies logic for him not to be in prime position now as our number one
Maybe Westwood demands to be number 1 or he won’t sit on the bench
Ya maybe a Delaney style scenario.
O’ Neill is not the type of character to air the dirty laundry either.
If somethings off he just won’t get picked and that’s the end of it
I think it’s fairly well recognised that Westwood and O’Neill don’t get on. And I don’t think O’Neill is alone in that regard. The players won’t lose any sleep over him not making the plane.
He could move to Barcelona and still not be our #1 in MON’s mind.