George Overhill

Fri 6 January 2023 18:40, UK

Nathan Broadhead is “expected” to leave Everton during the January transfer window after returning from his loan at Wigan, Sky Sports reports.

The striker was brought back to Goodison Park after scoring five times in the Championship but is not in line to feature for Frank Lampard in any form, with an immediate new move most likely.

The Times’ Paul Joyce reported earlier on Friday that League One side Ipswich had made a permanent bid for the 24-year-old, and the latest information suggests an exit is on the cards.

Sky Sports reported as the forward returned to Goodison Park on Friday (6 January): “Everton have recalled Nathan Broadhead from his loan spell at Championship club Wigan.

“Broadhead is expected to join another club during this January transfer window. 

“The 24-year-old made 22 league appearances for the Latics, scoring five goals.”

Wheels in motion

There seems little reason for the Toffees to have ended Broadhead’s loan spell in the second tier early if they weren’t on the verge of completing a permanent deal.

Another loan makes no sense so unless there are more teams in the running to sign the Welshman on a permanent deal in the coming days he is presumably going to be an Ipswich player before the end of the month.

Any fee brought in for the forward would be a bonus to Frank Lampard who is desperately in search of help in the goalscoring department in the senior side, although it likely won’t be a huge windfall.

Broadhead’s age and history at the club makes it fairly clear that his opportunity to make an impact on the first team has passed, so rather than bounce from one loan to another it would appear to be the right outcome for him to move on permanently.

Ellis Simms has also been recalled from loan at Sunderland, where Broadhead spent last season, and could get a chance to help Everton battle relegation this season, but a new arrival in the January window is still a priority as the situation starts to get serious for the club.