Everton receive transfer approach from French giants for forgotten man Jean-Philippe Gbamin as interest mounts
Lyon have made an approach to Everton over Jean-Philippe Gbamin to enquire about a possible deal for the forgotten midfielder, Mail Plus reports.
The Ivorian international, 27, has endured a nightmare time since his £25million move from Mainz four years ago [BBC Sport], totalling just eight appearances for the club amid major injuries and loan moves.
He spent last season with Trabzonspor in Turkey and played 24 times in all competitions, after half a season in Russia with CSKA Moscow the campaign before.
His agent had told BBC Sport earlier this year (30 May) that he was planning to get Gbamin a move this summer to end his “nightmare” at Everton, as he didn’t want to return.
It looks like he might be about to succeed as Ligue 1 side Lyon have enquired about a deal and there is also reportedly interest from the Bundesliga, according to Simon Jones for The Mail (31 July).
Gbamin has one year left on the five-year contract he signed after his big-money move.
Positive
This can only be a good thing in a situation that has largely been anything but for both player and club, after injury wrecked the midfielder’s time at Goodison Park.
Clearly, from what his agent has said Gbamin wants to leave and after the time he’s had over the past four years he definitely needs a new start.
At the same time Everton are in no position to be carrying players on the wage bill that aren’t going to be contributing, so if something can be worked out to move him on a year early it would be the best outcome all round.
However, as with so much of his time with the Toffees Gbamin is injured currently which may complicate reaching an agreement.
That has prevented Sean Dyche from getting a proper look at him in preseason and has surely ended hopes of him breaking into the team under the latest manager in charge during his time as an Everton player.
There is a month left of the transfer window so if he is fit again in that time then there will be hopes that a move can be secured.
It seems very unlikely that Everton would be able to land much in the way of a transfer fee, so they probably wouldn’t quote Lyon or any interested German clubs a fee that prices them out.
Getting his salary off the wage bill will presumably the primary objective, so it is a tentatively positive sign that he is generating interest in the final weeks of the window.
In other Everton news, details on the fee and the clauses involved has emerged as the Toffees finally close in on signing a striker this summer.