Everton book in Deadline Day medical for another Goodison Park transfer – Sky Sports
Everton are moving towards finalising a loan move for Lyon midfielder Orel Mangala with a medical booked for Friday 30 August, according to Sky Sports.
The news comes after Fabrizio Romano reported on his X account [29 August] that Mangala will travel to Merseyside on Thursday (29 August) ahead of the move.
Anton Toloui reported live for Sky Sports [29 August, 3:24 pm] outside Finch Farm to provide the latest update on the Belgian’s move to the Blues, with a deal now set to be concluded on Deadline Day.
He said: “We understand it’s a season-long loan and he will undergo his medical in the North-West tomorrow.”
Everton to sign Orel Mangala
Sean Dyche has been in the market for another centre-midfielder since the departure of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa and looks set to bolster his midfield options.
Tim Iroegbunam and 34-year-old Idrissa Gueye have been the preferred pairing in midfield for the first two fixtures of the 2024/25 Premier League season, but with zero goals scored and seven conceded in those matches, the need to improve the depth in the middle of the park has become more a priority.
James Garner returned to the side in the 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday [28 August] and should recover his starting berth in the side once he returns to full-match fitness.
The Blues’ pursuit of a midfielder has been strenuous and, after fears of a late hijack from Fiorentina [Sacha Tavolieri], it seems to be a Belgian for a Belgian at Goodison Park as the move for Mangala reaches the latter stages of completion.
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips was the preferred target for Dyche [The Times] before his move to Ipswich Town. However, prospective owner John Textor is utilising his links at Lyon to provide Everton with the reinforcements they need.
Whether or not Mangala is the last player through the door at Goodison Park before the 30 August deadline remains to be seen, but regardless this is a fantastic coup for Everton.
In other Everton news, a Blues player has flown to Italy to finalise his Goodison Park exit.
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