Fabrizio Romano believes Everton are in the race to bring Moussa Dembele to the Premier League with Ligue 1 giants Lyon confirming that the former Celtic striker is leaving for free.
Whether the former France U21 international is really the man to solve Everton’s goalscoring problems, however, depends largely on exactly which Moussa Dembele the Toffees get.
A look through Dembele’s Lyon career, after all, paints the picture of a forward who cannot really count consistency among his finest attributes. He broke the 20-goal barrier in three of his five seasons at OL. In the other two, however, he scored just four times in 44 games combined.
A lack of reliability is perhaps one of the major reasons why Dembele, with all due respect to Everton, is no longer being mentioned as an option for Europe’s genuine A-listers, at a time in which Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and more are all pursuing a number nine.
Everton still in the mix for Moussa Dembele
Lyon confirmed last week that Dembele – who they once paid £20 million for – will leave on a free.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Everton are facing competition from Galatasaray. Both clubs are ‘informed on the conditions of the deal’. Dembele will likely be offered a far larger package in Saudi Arabia. There are a number of Middle Eastern suitors too. But the Paris-born 26-year-old appears open to a move back to Britain after spells at Fulham and Celtic.
According to Foot Mercato, Dembele held talks with former Toffees boss Frank Lampard in January, only for an Everton side under pressure from Financial Fair Play restrictions to walk away due to the fees demanded by Lyon. Everton failed to sign Danny Ings from West Ham in similar circumstances.
Suggestions that Everton remain in the race, five months on, may mean that Sean Dyche is happy to pick up where Lampard left off. The Toffees averaged fewer than a goal-a-game during a dreadful 2022/23 campaign. And Dembele – for all his inconsistencies – should still represent a major upgrade on Neal Maupay and an injury-hit Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Aston Villa and Southampton have also been linked.
Villa appear to be prioritising other options now, however. And Southampton can no longer seriously compete after returning to the Championship.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
