Everton agree obligation-to-buy clause in Mangala deal with Lyon

Everton have agreed an obligation-to-buy clause in their loan move for Lyon midfielder Orel Mangala, according to David Anderson.

The Daily Mirror's northern football writer posted on his X account [28 August] to report the new development, that the Toffees will be obliged to sign Mangala on a permanent deal once the loan deal expires next summer.

It was initially reported by Fabrizio Romano [28 August] that it was merely an option for Sean Dyche's side to make the loan permanent, but the new report indicates Mangala may have played his final game for Lyon.

Mangala is set to become Everton's sixth signing of the summer transfer window as business continues.

Everton reach obligation clause for Orel Mangala

Everton were seemingly ebbing towards a quiet end to the window in terms of incomings, but a poor start to the Premier League season has seemingly forced the hand of Dyche and the backroom team.

Mangala carries Premier League experience having spent 18 months with Nottingham Forest, before a loan last winter to Lyon became permanent this summer.

However, the Belgian will now leave France within the same window as his deal became a £15m purchase from Forest, with the same situation potentially about to occur with young winger Ernest Nuamah [L'Equipe, 28 August], who is strongly linked with a move to Merseyside.

When Jake O'Brien's permanent summer switch to Goodison from Lyon is thrown into the mix, it can be considered that Everton's exclusive takeover talks with the French giants' owner John Textor is having an effect in this area of the market - providing a fruitful link between the two clubs.

Dyche is currently very light in the centre of midfield, and the signing of Mangala to replace national team compatriot Amadou Onana would make sense for the squad given his prior experience of surviving in the English top flight, although the financial implications could turn out to be tricky.

In other Everton news, Simon Jordan blasts Neal Maupay after Saturday's incident at Euston station.

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