Everton news round-up: Fofana in quick transfer, medical now booked
Everton’s summer has rapidly gathered pace over the last few days.
The Toffees have already added two new faces to their ranks, as well as securing the permanent acquisition of Charly Alcaraz, but there is still plenty more work to be done before the season gets underway.
David Moyes will be hopeful of continuing the upturn that was experienced in the latter stages of the 2024/25 campaign, and he is running out of time to have his squad in place for the opening game against Leeds on 18 August.
With that in mind, Goodison News rounds up all the latest news coming out of the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday (26 July).
Branthwaite injury could be worse than first thought
Everton were handed a blow earlier in the week, with the news that Jarrad Branthwaite has been unable to travel to the USA with the rest of the squad after picking up a minor injury.
However, ex-Goodison scout Bryan King feels that the centre back’s latest issue could be worse than the Toffees are letting on at the moment.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, King said: “I wonder if the injury is perhaps more serious than we think.
“I’ve known players before who’ve picked up little knocks and still travelled with the squad. You’re going to have all your physios there on the pre-season tour anyway.
“That way, he (Branthwaite) could’ve been part of the squad and part of the bonding. So, I wonder whether it could be a more serious injury than what it’s being made out to be.”
Everton make £31.4m offer for Malick Fofana
The Toffees have come from nowhere to emerge as a potential suitor to sign Malick Fofana from Lyon.
The Friedkin Group seemingly have their eyes fixed on the 20-year-old, and have already tabled an offer of £31.4million as they aim to bring him to the Premier League.
Lyon are understood to be open to selling the wideman if they receive a bid of £34.9m, and the Merseysiders’ opening proposal is marginally short of that at the moment.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Ligue 1 | 29 | 5 | 4 |
| Europa League | 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Coupe de France | 2 | – | – |
| Total | 41 | 11 | 5 |
Fofana had an impressive season last time out and ended the campaign with 11 goals and five assists in all competitions for the French giants.
The Belgian is also drawing interest from other clubs, including the likes of Bayern Munich, but Everton have been the first to make a genuine move.
Everton have Adam Aznou medical booked
Adam Aznou is another transfer pursuit that Everton have made great strides with in the last few days.
They are said to have agreed a deal to sign the Bayern Munich left-back, with the two clubs understood to have settled on a package totalling £10.4m.
The Moroccan is due to fly into the UK to finalise the deal imminently, with a medical booked in on Sunday (26 July) ahead of his switch to join the Toffees.
Moyes will be hopeful of adding Aznou to the pre-season tour of the USA, and his arrival should strengthen a position that has badly needed an upgrade this summer.
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