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LATEST; A Fast Winger Certainly Falls Into The Latter Category
Everton have players they will want to sign before today’s deadline day is up, and players they simply need to sign.
It has clearly been a top target of Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell’s throughout the window, yet their efforts to actually secure one continued to go begging.
Jaden Philogene opted to return to Aston Villa. Leeds United would not budge on Wilfried Gnonto. Even Largie Ramazani, whether they actually wanted him or not, ended up in Yorkshire despite tenuous links to the Toffees.
It has been an unforgiving summer in that regard, but one that could now end in triumph should they secure this final, much-needed addition.
The latest on Everton’s pursuit of Ernest Nuamah comes courtesy of French outlet L’Equipe, however, they actually do not explicitly mention the Toffees.
Realistically though, they don’t need to, as their interest in the 20-year-old has been well-documented.
Instead, this source seeks to detail how Lyon, the selling club, are acting, having now apparently identified a replacement for the Ghanaian speedster.
It reads: ‘Less than 24 hours to the end of the transfer window, Olympique Lyonnais continues to reshape its workforce according to opportunities. To replace Ernest Nuamah, leaving for the Premier League, the Rhone leaders would have turned to a former English Championship. Wilfried Zaha (31) will be loaned by Galatasaray (37 matches – 10 goals), where he is under contract until 2026.’
Everton are still linked with a £25m move for Nuamah’s services. Naturally, midfield already seems tied up, with Orel Mangala set to join Everton imminently.
Well, aside from hopefully snagging this pacy and dynamic winger, the hope is that the Toffees will also bolster a couple of other key positions as well.
With this deal all but completed, and Nuamah next on their agenda, attention simply must turn to the right-back area, where their lack of depth and quality is alarming.
It has been a long-term issue for not just Dyche, but many managers before him, and yet it continues to go unsolved.
Now, heading into deadline day, it has once again been allowed to fester.
Everton do want Kieran Trippier, but that will prove difficult this late on in the window, whilst former Burnley loanee Lorenz Assignon is another target they have identified.
This seems to be the most likely route that Thelwell will take on this deadline day, but as ever, anything could happen.
This is a fanbase that has already been dragged through the emotional wringer throughout every season for the past decade, and yet they just keep coming back for more.
Positivity may be at an all-time low, but under Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche‘s steady leadership, that is slowly building.
Should this deadline day conclude as many are hoping it might, we might just see a new-look Goodison Park tomorrow, drenched in optimism.
Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg provides the latest update, taking to X to detail Everton’s progressing move to sign Orel Mangala.
The Belgian has been a target of theirs for the past few days, and despite a few hiccups along the way, they seem set to get their man.
‘All done and sealed with Lyon now. But after new rounds of negotiation it’s a straight loan for the 26 y/o midfielder. Contract with Lyon valid until 2028.’
Whilst Mangala’s completed move to Everton was effectively a foregone conclusion heading into deadline day, pushing the deal over the line still represents an important step towards enjoying a blockbuster end to the summer window.
And, it could mark the first of many for the Toffees, who are still pushing hard to get that elusive winger and another right-back in.
The dynamic wide man would certainly solve their issues surrounding a lack of pace, but has been criticised at times for his lack of end product.