Everton transfer news: Real Betis respond to Goodison Park offer for Luiz Henrique as possible Arnaut Danjuma replacement
Real Betis have refused to let Luiz Henrique leave on loan after an attempt by Everton to bring him in this month, according to ABC Sevilla.
The Spanish outlet report via their website on 24 January that the 23-year-old is not attracting permanent offers close to his €20million asking price [£17.1m] from the likes of RB Leipzig, and his value could even increase if he plays at the weekend against Mallorca and performs well.
So the Toffees and Brazilian side Flamengo have both been turned away in their attempts to sign the winger on a temporary basis, although the same outlet had reported on 19 January that Henrique’s camp were in favour of a Premier League move to Goodison Park.
As a loan target the Brazilian would have been a potential replacement for the exit-linked Arnaut Danjuma since one of the current slots would have to be vacated, with the Dutchman lined up for a move to Lyon.
Door slams shut
Everton simply don’t have a transfer budget to compete if a player is set to move on a permanent basis this month, so this one looks to be out of reach now.
Convincing Henrique’s representatives of a move to Merseyside was one thing but if his club sees a financial windfall on the cards elsewhere then the decision is little surprise.
That won’t make it any less frustrating for the powers that be at Goodison Park, or likely for Danjuma or Lyon, with a space already made at the French side to bring in the Villarreal loanee.
Sean Dyche has indicated that the winger is an Everton player going forward this season, and given various options to take his place are headed elsewhere it is perhaps obvious why.
The Toffees must be prepared to let him leave if they are pursuing loan deals this month, having also attempted to hijack Hannibal Mejbri’s Manchester United exit earlier this month.
But without replacement being secured then the manager clearly can’t reduce his options, despite a recent suggestion from Foot Mercato on 18 January that they had done so.
In other Everton news, the Toffees want to sign a young attacker who is “on the path to stardom”.
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