Everton and West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing 25-year-old English goalkeeper Michael Cooper from EFL Championship club Sheffield United this summer.

According to a report by The Sun, Michael Cooper is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers are keen on reinforcing their first-team squad by signing a goalkeeper in the summer transfer window. So, the 25-year-old Sheffield United shot-stopper has emerged as a target for the East London club.

West Ham will “make final checks on the 25-year-old before the transfer window shuts”, with the EFL Championship club demanding around £15 million to part ways with him in the summer transfer window. The Englishman is also a target for Everton, with the Merseyside club failing with an approach for his signature.

Michael Cooper and his impact at Sheffield United

Michael Cooper has established himself as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the EFL Championship since joining Sheffield United from Plymouth Argyle last summer. The Exeter native spent his formative years in his homeland and graduated from the youth division at Plymouth Argyle.

However, the 25-year-old has risen in prominence during his spell with Sheffield United, and he was impressive in his debut season with the EFL Championship club. Cooper has kept 23 clean sheets in 46 appearances thus far for Sheffield United while conceding only 35 goals. Meanwhile, Cooper’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs, including Everton and West Ham United.

Premier League move on the horizon?

Everton’s interest in Michael Cooper is understandable. While Jordan Pickford remains the first-choice goalkeeper for the Merseyside outfit and will soon sign a new contract at the club, David Moyes needs a new backup shot-stopper. So, Cooper has emerged as a viable target for Everton, although the Toffees have failed with an approach.

As for West Ham United, Lukasz Fabianski has departed from the London Stadium as a free agent. So, Graham Potter wants a goalkeeper who can compete with Alphonse Areola to be the first-choice goalkeeper for West Ham. Cooper is thus an option worth considering for the East London outfit.

West Ham will “make final checks on the 25-year-old before the transfer window shuts”, and they will aim to beat the competition to the Englishman’s signature. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Cooper.