Everton set to face competition with European club ‘ready to make move’ for Toffees target

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Everton could face some last-minute competition from a Serie A club for the signing of Lyon midfielder Orel Mangala.

Sean Dyche’s Everton have suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League with a 3-0 thumping at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as Tottenham Hotspur.

Everton have been busy in the summer transfer market with the Toffees signing Jake O’Brien from Lyon as well as Tim Iroegbunam, who netted against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup, but the Merseyside club are not finished in the transfer market.

HITC understands that Everton are closing in on a loan deal with Lyon to sign Orel Mangala, with the former Nottingham Forest midfielder keen on returning to the Premier League.

Serie A side ready to make move for Orel Mangala

HITC sources can confirm that prospective Everton owner John Textor has helped set up a loan deal for the Merseyside club that will see Mangala move to Goodison Park on loan.

Everton are desperate to bolster their squad before Friday and Textor is set to use his French club Lyon to help the Toffees make further additions to their squad before this week’s deadline.

However, according to a report from Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Serie A side Fiorentina are now reportedly keen on Mangala, too.

Sean Dyche’s side haven’t closed the deal yet, which has allowed Fiorentina to join the battle. In fact, they have ‘made an attempt’ to sign the midfielder since Everton hasn’t got the deal over the line yet.

The Serie A side are looking to sign at least one new midfielder before Friday night, partly because Sofyan Amrabat is about to leave.

Everton may have to get a move on to sign Mangala

HITC understands that Mangala is open to a return to Everton and indeed the Premier League following a successful stint at Forest under Steve Cooper.

As for Fiorentina, Sofyan Amrabat had been linked with a return to Manchester United but the Italian side are still keen on signing a midfielder, even if the Italian club holds on to the Moroccan.

Dinamo Zagreb’s Martin Baturina is their first-choice target and Fiorentina have started contracts to sign the Croatian. In the last few hours, they have added the Everton target’s name to their list.

With less than 48 hours to go before the window slams shut, Everton may have to get a move on to sign Mangala if Fiorentina do indeed enter the race for the Belgian.