Everton are in talks for Lyon midfielder Orel Mangala. The Belgium international is available on loan from the French club.
Everton Linked to Move for Exciting Lyon Midfielder Orel Mangala
How Everton Can Get the Deal Done
Despite the financial issues surrounding Everton, Fabrizio Romano reports that the club have “talks ongoing” to sign Orel Mangala. Crucially for the Toffees, the deal is centered around the player’s wages being fully compensated by Lyon.
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The Italian reporter also stated that the club enquired about the availability of Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina. The deal was more difficult for the Merseyside outfit to complete.
Everton are possibly already seeing benefits from potential new owner John Textor. The American businessman wants to buy a 94.1% stake in the Liverpool-based club. If the deal is to go through, they would join a conglomerate of clubs that include Lyon.
What Orel Mangala Brings To Everton
Nottingham Forest sold the midfielder to Lyon this transfer window for a £20 million fee. The move came after he had a successful loan spell at the club during the second half of last season.
Mangala is a central midfielder that would play in Everton’s double pivot. Currently, manager Sean Dyche relies on the inexperienced Tim Iroegbunam and an ageing Idrissa Gueye to fulfil these roles. The departure of Andre Gomes and Amadou Onana over the summer has left the club short on central midfield options.
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Mangala is an excellent long passer of the ball, completing 77.3% of his long ball attempts. The Toffees attempt the longest passes in the Premier League and the former Nottingham Forest midfielder would bring a much-needed skill to the midfield. No other first-team midfielder completes over 60% of their attempts. If the move is to be completed, the ‘dynamic all round’ midfielder will bring a new aspect to the Toffees midfield.
