Everton want to sign Blackburn defender Darragh Lenihan
Everton are in the hunt to sign Blackburn Rovers defender Darragh Lenihan on a free transfer as the Irishman’s contract nears expiration, according to TEAMtalk.
The 27-year-old has been a regular feature of Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn side this season which has seen them rise to second in the Championship, on the verge of promotion.
Lenihan is being watched by Newcastle, Leeds United, Aston Villa and Wolves as well as the Toffees as his future remains undecided.
“Lenihan will delay talks until the end of the season in the hope of helping Rovers go up,” TEAMtalk reported.
“We understand that Newcastle, Leeds, Aston Villa, Wolves and Everton are amongst the clubs to register their interest in landing the player on a prospective free transfer.”
Why not now?
Getting Lenihan for absolutely nothing is an enticing prospect for any club but waiting that long could see Everton beaten by another Premier League rival.
What they should be trying is to sign the Irishman now, for what would be a small fee given how little time left he has on his current deal.
Everton could jump the queue by giving Blackburn a nominal fee and ensuring no one else gets the chance to sign the 27-year-old.
They could even loan him back for the rest of the season if Mowbray doesn’t want to lose him during their promotion chase.
That may come as a financial loss but the gain of having such an experienced player in their squad the following season is probably worth it.
Toffees’ captain Seamus Coleman will no doubt be getting on the phone to his international teammate in an attempt to persuade him to Merseyside but this could rumble on for some time.
In other Everton news, this manager is set to jet into Liverpool in the next 24 hours as the club near a decision on the next Goodison Park boss.