George Overhill

Sun 30 January 2022 16:40, UK

Incoming Everton manager Frank Lampard was crucial in driving the club’s pursuit of Donny van de Beek whose move is advancing, reports Christopher Beesley.

The ex-Chelsea boss is reportedly on Merseyside today and his appointment is expected to be confirmed imminently.

Meanwhile the loan move for Manchester United’s outcast Dutch international, who was reported earlier today to have chosen a move to Goodison over one to Crystal Palace (The Guardian), is nearing completion, and the new manager appears to have been key to that.

There looks to be just the paperwork to complete before the midfielder can be confirmed as well.

Liverpool Echo reporter Beesley reports on his Twitter account: “Donny van de Beek has agreed to join Everton on loan. Frank Lampard really pushed for him.

“Just waiting on the paperwork to be completed.”

Music to fans’ ears

Suddenly there is light at the end of the tunnel for Toffees fans after the grim start to 2022.

Sunday looks set to be the most encouraging day for some time at Goodison, with the new manager all but agreed, and it appears he has already started making last-minute moves in the transfer market.

Fears must have been high as the past week came to an end that the window would close before the manager chase was completed, leaving the new man no time to have an influence on his squad.

Lampard would perhaps have been the best bet had that been the case, with his last job at Chelsea also starting without the opportunity to do any business thanks to a transfer ban.

But a crucial couple of days are still open to him to do what he can to set up the team in his image.

He has a big job on his hands to lift fortunes around Goodison this season, but the off-field start has been very encouraging.

Now all he has to do is translate the positive first steps into some positive first results, which is easier said than done.

In other Everton news, this pundit has tipped the club to make a shock move for this top level goalscorer.