- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Everton are closing in on a deal to bring Tim Iroegbunam to Goodison Park from Premier League rivals Aston Villa for a fee in the region of £10 million.
Aston Villa always needed to sell this summer in order to stay clear of potential Profit and Sustainability rule breaches, and the departure of a squad player for an eight-figure sum would certainly help move things in the right direction.
Tim Iroegbunam, while very highly rated, only started one top-flight game as Aston Villa qualified for the Champions League in 2023/24. HITC understands that Iroegbunam is keen to move on too after being informed by head coach Unai Emery that he was unlikely to be particularly high up the pecking order going forward.
When everyone is fit and available, Iroegbunam is behind Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamare and Youri Tielemans. Villa also have Morgan Rogers capable of playing in midfield, they hope to bring in Conor Gallagher from Chelsea, while Ross Barkley is expected to return to the club after a fine spell at Luton Town.
Everton in talks to sign Aston Villa’s Tim Iroegbunam
The impending arrival of Barkley is understood to have played a part in Iroegbunam’s likely departure. Everton and Aston Villa are in talks with a deal not far away. The Toffees are set to pay around £10 million and view the 20-year-old as a good prospect for the future.
With Idrissa Gana Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure entering the Autumn of their careers, an addition of youthful exuberance in the centre of the park will be well received at Goodison Park. Iroegbunam could also help Everton move on from Amadou Onana should the towering Belgian leave during the current transfer window.
The sale of Iroegbunam, due to his time in Aston Villa’s academy, represents excellent business from a Financial Fair Play perspective. Villa could also lose Douglas Luiz to Juventus, potentially with Samuel Iling-Junior and Weston McKennie moving in the other direction.
Luiz would obviously represent more of a loss than Iroegbunam. But McKennie provides an immediate replacement, while ensuring that Villa can hang onto Ramsey, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and top scorer Ollie Watkins.
£10m man is potential Amadou Onana replacement
Iroegbunam, meanwhile, will arrive at Everton as an England Under 20 international. He made 32 league appearances during a loan spell at Queens Park Rangers in 2022/23, and is very highly rated by a man who knows what it takes to make it as a top-level central midfielder.
“I thought Tim was terrific,” former Villa boss Steven Gerrard said after the teenager excelled during a goalless draw with Leicester City two years ago.
“He played with calmness and maturity. He’s a top professional. He’s in the gym before training, he’s in the gym after.
“He needs to come out of his shell, he needs to find his voice because now he’s in men’s football and we think the world of him.
“He’s got a big future.”
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