Romano: Everton ‘close to finalizing’ £34m deal for star after player ‘agrees to terms’ of the move.
Everton Nearing Deal to Sign Olympique Lyonnais Star Orel Mangala Before Transfer Window Closes, Reports Fabrizio Romano.
Everton has already strengthened their squad this summer by signing Iliman Ndiaye, Tim Iroegbunam, and Jake O’Brien, while Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom have joined on loan.
Asmir Begovic has also been brought in to provide additional depth to the goalkeeping position.
However, after a poor start to the season, the Merseyside club is looking to bring in more reinforcements before Friday’s transfer deadline to give manager Sean Dyche enough resources to avoid relegation.
One key area Dyche has identified for improvement is the midfield, and according to Fabrizio Romano, Everton is close to signing Orel Mangala from Lyon.
The club is reportedly negotiating an initial loan deal with an option to make the move permanent next summer.
Romano also noted that Mangala, a Belgian international, has already agreed to join Everton before the transfer window closes.
He stated:
“Everton are now closing in on a deal for Orel Mangala to join on loan with a buy option clause from OL. The player has already accepted the conditions of the deal.”
German journalist Florian Plettenberg added that Mangala is set to undergo his medical ahead of the move to Goodison Park, with Everton holding an option to make the loan deal permanent for £34 million.
Mangala’s move to Everton follows his initial loan transfer to Lyon from Nottingham Forest last winter, which was made permanent this summer. However, it now seems his stint in France could be short-lived.
Having previously helped Nottingham Forest avoid relegation, Everton fans are hopeful Mangala can bring the same resilience to their club if he completes the transfer.
Mangala is known for his strength, dynamism, and aerial ability.
He is comfortable in possession, capable of threading passes between the lines, and effective defensively, making him well-suited to Sean Dyche’s pragmatic style of play.
In addition to pursuing a new midfielder, Everton is also reportedly in the market for a new right-back, with Gonzalo Montiel and Kieran Trippier emerging as strong candidates.
It remains to be seen how many new players Everton will sign before the transfer window closes on Friday.
