Everton transfer news as breakthrough leads to Moussa Dembele miss
Everton have missed out on the signature of free agent Moussa Dembele this summer, according to Football Scotland.
The Scottish publication reported on Twitter on Sunday (23 July) that the striker will join Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq.
Dembele, who previously played in the Premier League for Fulham, left Ligue 1 club Lyon earlier this summer after five years at the French outfit.
“Moussa Dembele is poised to snub a move to the Premier League by joining former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia,” according to Football Scotland. “The ex-Celtic hero is a free agent after rejecting the chance to extend his five-year stay at Lyon.
“Everton are long-term admirers of the Frenchman, while West Ham, Aston Villa and La Liga side Villarreal have also been heavily linked.”
Transfer blow
Dembele’s reported move to Saudi Arabia is a real blow for the Toffees, who really could have done with his talents in the final third next season.
The French striker certainly knows how to find the back of the net, with Dembele scoring for fun during his time in Scotland with Celtic.
He was also regularly on the scoresheet at Lyon, with the 27-year-old scoring goals wherever he has been in his entire career.
Unfortunately for Sean Dyche, Dembele looks like he won’t be repeating those heroics at Goodison Park anytime soon, with the Merseyside club definitely not able to compete with Al Ettifaq when it comes to the financial package on offer.
Fortunately, a loan move for Villarreal forward Arnaut Danjuma is seemingly close, but whether that is enough to help Everton solve their attacking issues remains to be seen.
Dyche has already lost first-team striker Ellis Simms to Coventry City this summer, with Neal Maupay potentially following him out the door.
In other Everton news, the documents are done as the Toffees complete a “crazy” transfer, according to Fabrizio Romano.