Sean Dyche could be forced into dramatic U-turn on exit-linked Arnaut Danjuma after fresh Goodison Park injury blow
Sean Dyche could be forced into a dramatic exit U-turn on Arnaut Danjuma after a fresh Everton injury blow on key player Dwight McNeil.
McNeil suffered a worrying ankle injury that required lengthy treatment in their 0-0 FA Cup draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Thursday evening (4 January).
Dyche stated after the game that he remains hopeful that McNeil’s injury isn’t too serious [Liverpool Echo, 5 January] after he was stretchered off in the second half.
McNeil has been a key player for Dyche ever since his appointment in January 2023, scoring seven Premier League goals and providing seven assists in the process.
However, his potential injury could leave the Toffees desperately short in attack and it could get even worse should Danjuma who’s been linked with an exit in recent days depart Goodison Park over the coming days.
Danjuma joined the Toffees on loan from Villarreal in January but has failed to establish himself so far under Dyche, due to a lack of minutes leading to reports that the Spanish outfit could terminate the loan deal and send him elsewhere.
FootMercato reported on 29 December that Ligue 1 giants Olympique Lyon want to sign the Dutchman this month as they look to steer clear of a costly relegation from the French top-flight.
Danjuma is seeking regular first-team football and Lyon are willing to offer a loan-to-buy deal to tempt Villarreal into doing a deal but it is difficult as they must convince the Toffees to break the loan agreement.
In a brand new update from Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, sharing on his Twitter account (1 January), Everton are yet to make a decision on the attacker’s future despite the interest from Lyon.
Romano shared that the interest from Lyon has not seen talks advance yet, with the deal still reportedly in the early stages, although it is suggested this will progress in the coming days.
Journalist Graeme Bailey told the One Leeds Fan Channel on 4 January amid an update on the future of former Toffees summer target Willy Gnonto that the Dutchman’s time at Goodison Park is set to end.
Danjuma’s loan move to Goodison was supposed to be the chance to rejuvenate his career after a failed loan move at Tottenham last season but so far, it seems that trend is continuing in Liverpool.
When the Dutchman signed on the dotted line at the club, he was expected to add a whole new dimension and quality to a depleted Dyche attacking weaponry. So far, he’s only been resigned to three Premier League starts all season.
The Toffees do not have the luxury of going out there and getting a quick-fire replacement should Danjuma leave the club this month so it could be quite costly and a bit silly to allow him to leave at such a crucial stage in the season.
Certainly, Dyche prefers McNeil and Jack Harrison but right at this moment in time, aside from Danjuma, those are his only two out-and-out wingers.
With McNeil potentially out for a spell, Dyche could now be forced to keep the Dutchman around for a while longer at Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, Youseff Chermiti could be set to depart Goodison Park on loan during the January transfer window