CSKA Moscow have sealed a deal to bring in Jean-Philippe Gbamin from Premier League giants Everton, the midfielder’s agent tells Sport24.
If anyone needs a fresh start, it’s Gbamin.
Three years since joining the Toffees in a £25 million deal from Mainz, the former Bundesliga ace is stuck on just eight Premier League appearances.
That’s not really his fault of course. While so many of his Everton team-mates have performed well below expectations over the past few seasons, Gbamin’s ongoing absence from the first-team picture has more to do with his fitness than his form.
Or a lack thereof.
In total, Gbamin has missed around 600 days of action due to a seemingly unrelenting series of injuries. As a result, he’s been limited to just one league start all season.
And he was hauled off at half-time during November’s 2-1 defeat at Wolves, looking like a man desperately short of match fitness. Probably because he was.
Gbamin, then, will be praying that luck is on his side as he looks to jump-start his stalling career in the Russian capital.
Does Gbamin still have a future at Everton?
“The deal is done,” says the Ivorian’s agent, Bernard Collignon. “Everything will be officially announced in a couple of hours.”
Speaking to MetaRatings, Collignon adds that CSKA Moscow will take over responsibility for Gbamin’s £65,000-a-week wages.
They will not have the option to sign him permanently in the summer, however. Is the absence of a ‘purchase clause’ a sign that Gbamin may still have a future at Goodison Park?
“All issues have been resolved,” the agent explains. “Soon, CSKA will announce the transfer of Jean-Philippe. This is a free loan until the end of the season without the right to purchase.
“CSKA will pay the salary.”
It is not certain, at this stage, whether another seldom-seen Premier League midfielder joins Gbamin in Moscow. CSKA are also eyeing Leicester City’s Nampalys Mendy.
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