Everton could suffer another blow with Crystal Palace in talks to sign free-agent

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Andre Ayew will touch down in England imminently but Premier League strugglers Everton could miss out on the free-agent former West Ham and Swansea City forward, according to the Daily Mail.

After a window in which Everton needed a multitude of additions but ended up with none – despite bringing in £45 million via the sale of academy graduate Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United – it’s difficult to know what is more damning.

Suggestions that Everton want Andre Ayew in the first place. Or the fact that they could now miss out on a 33-year-old who has spent the last couple of seasons growing his personal fortune in Qatar.

Failing to sign a single striker throughout January, turning to and then-missing out on a mid-30s free-agent from the Middle East; if this whole sorry saga does not sum up the desperation and alarming mis-management gripping this proud old club, then nothing does.

“They could still get him through the door because he is a free agent,” Simon Jordan points out on talkSPORT. “But that ain’t going to lift anyone’s morale.”

Everton like Andre Ayew but the Ghana legend is in talks with Crystal Palace

Ayew, the Daily Mail reports, should arrive in England before the close of play on Thursday; his £5 million-a-year Al Sadd contract torn up. Everton’s chances of signing the 113-time Ghana international, however, are seen as something of a coin toss. ‘50-50’, to quote the Mail.

90Min believe that Crystal Palace have also held talks with Ayew. Patrick Vieira’s side have the added advantage of the fact that the former Marseille star’s younger brother – Jordan Ayew – is currently contracted to the Selhurst Park outfit.

Versatile, highly-experienced and boasting a proven nose for goal – Ayew scored against Portugal at the Qatar World Cup – the two-time Ligue 1 champion may still have something to offer in one of Europe’s major leagues. Ayew was outstanding during his most recent spell in Britain; scoring 35 goals in two seasons at Swansea between 2019 and 2021.

But suggestions that Everton are now looking at 30-something, outside-of-the-window free transfers – after failing to bring in a new signing during a 31-day spell in January – should be a reminder to Sean Dyche about the obstacles standing in his way of success at Goodison Park.