Hammers and Stoke ready to rival Hull for permanent Livermore deal

Tottenham’s on-loan midfielder Jake Livermore will be at the centre of a three-way fight for his services in the summer, with temporary club Hull and fellow mid-table Premier League teams West Ham and Stoke all trying to sign him permanently.

Livermore, 24, has been part of a British Isles midfield trio, with Tom Huddlestone and David Meyler, at the Tigers this term, which has helped Steve Bruce’s side reach the FA Cup final. Hull are 5/2 to upset Arsenal at Wembley in May and win the trophy.

Managerial uncertainty at parent club Spurs has thrown Livermore’s long-term future at White Hart Lane into doubt. Tim Sherwood could be set to lose his job as Tottenham head coach, because he looks unlikely to achieve a top four finish.

North London outfit Spurs are 50/1 outsiders to end up in a Champions League place – a target that club chairman Daniel Levy craves. Louis van Gaal, the Netherlands national boss who is out of contract after the World Cup, is the odds-on 2/5 favourite with Coral to succeed Sherwood.

Bruce, meanwhile, has been quoted a reported £6m to make Livermore a permanent acquisition for the Tigers, according to the tabloids. That valuation has alerted Hammers boss Sam Allardyce and Potters manager Mark Hughes, however.

Like Hull did last summer, West Ham and Stoke are looking at introducing more midfield dynamism for the next campaign after solid seasons. Livermore has scored three goals and laid on six assists in all competitions for the Tigers this term.

Big Sam may be targeting Livermore amid rumours that Hammers midfielder Mohamed Diame is a target of odds-on 8/11 Premier League title favourites Liverpool.

The player’s preference is clearly to make a permanent switch to the KC Stadium. “It’s great at Hull, and I have really enjoyed my time here.” Livermore said. “I came to play regular first-team football after a terrible season at Tottenham, where I was in and out of the team for various reasons.

“It has been a fresh start for me and a breath of fresh air for someone like Steve Bruce to have a bit of faith in me and say ‘just go out and play’ every week. It has been a pleasure to play here – and enjoyment is a massive part of football.”