Everton set to accept loss on Jean-Philippe Gbamin reeks of shambolic transfer policy
If there is one example that demonstrates how badly Everton have fared in the transfer market in recent years, it has to be the case of Jean-Philippe Gbamin.
According to a report from 61 Saat [30 November], the Toffees are looking to cough up a fee of around £6m (maximum) for the midfielder, who is currently on a season-long loan at Trabzonspor.
Gbamin joined the Toffees for £25 million in August 2019 [BBC Sport] but he has managed only eight games in three seasons due to injuries.
The Toffees have wasted their money in the transfer market and this is another example.
The Ivory Coast international was shipped off on loan to CSKA Moscow in the second half of last season, and it became very clear that he is not needed at the club.
He doesn’t feature in Frank Lampard’s plans, and the club are struggling to get decent money for him. The Toffees signed Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye in the summer, and Gbamin has become surplus to requirements at the club.
There has not been any attempt to integrate the player into the first team, and now the club is willing to accept a big loss for the player.
Lampard probably will take whatever amount comes for him, that he can utilise in signing new players, but the entire system reeks of a shambolic transfer policy.
When you’re signing players on big-money deals (forget about clubs like Real Madrid or Manchester United who can afford to spend £50-80m with ease), you need to make sure that you get the minimum from him at least, so that you don’t incur a huge loss, unless there’s no hope at all.
It comes as a full circle that the midfielder who once replaced Gueye by signing a five-year deal is now being replaced by the same player after three years.
Let’s hope, the Toffees can get the best deal from his sale next summer.