Everton ‘great shame’ verdict shared in Tim Iroegbunam transfer
Joe Thomas believes it’s a “great shame” that clubs are resorting to selling their youth prospects as Everton and Aston Villa doing business on academy players.
It was confirmed by Everton (official website, 22 June) that Villa midfielder Tim Iroegbunam has joined the club in a deal the Daily Mail reported this week (20 June) was worth £9million, with Lewis Dobbin set to head in the other direction to Villa Park.
Both moves are seemingly with an eye on helping the clubs balance the books ahead of Profit and Sustainability balance sheets needing to be complete by 30 June.
Journalist Thomas, reflected on the situation in a column for the Liverpool Echo (22 June), writing before the Iroegbunam deal was confirmed: “The potential deals between Everton and Villa for Tim Iroegbunam and Lewis Dobbin can make sense to both clubs for footballing reasons, but a sweetener is the boost any such deals will provide in terms of PSR.
“It is a great shame that the spending regulations actively encourage the sale of youth products instead of developing them.”
The moves that Everton have been looking at making so far this summer
The Toffees had reportedly agreed personal terms with Iroegbunam earlier this week [TEAMtalk, 20 June], and the Merseyside club will no doubt be looking at making more additions to their squad now that deal is over the line.
Jack Harrison looks certain to return to Goodison Park for another loan move from Leeds United with documents exchanged ahead of that deal (Fabrizio Romano, 21 June).
Although the move of the former Manchester City man was one that was expected, it no doubt feels better for both clubs to have this deal pretty much over the line.
Granted, the move is another loan deal, however, a non-permanent move likely makes the most sense for the Merseyside club at this moment in time, especially with the looming PSR deadline.
In recent days, Sean Dyche’s men have also been linked with a move for Iliman Ndiaye with their first move for the attacker already being refused (Massilia Zone, June 20).
It’s evident that despite the summer transfer window only being officially open for the last eight days, Everton are busy trying to get some work done.
In other Everton news, Toffees star man Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been linked with a move away this summer.
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