Everton are pushing hard to try and sign Orel Mangala from Lyon, but there remain so many moving parts that are leaving the Toffees baffled.
Kevin Thelwell, usually such an incisive operator, has been sadly dragged into a messy transfer saga that threatens to spill over into Deadline Day.
It is a place where no team ideally wants to be conducting their business, but needs must in these trying times.
Fortunately, after fears were sparked after news broke suggesting his move to Merseyside had broken down, Fabrizio Romano has emerged to set the record straight.
Fabrizio Romano provides update on Orel Mangala future
Taking to X, just hours after it was claimed that Mangala had chosen Fiorentina over Everton, revered journalist Romano has weighed in to refute that claim absolutely.
The Italian is the big fish when it comes to transfer reporters, and thus his word is so often gospel.
In this particular instance, his fresh update will be music to Evertonians’ ears, after initial fears that the Belgium international had opted for Italy over Merseyside.
Romano writes: ‘Understand Everton have booked travel today and medical tests for Orel Mangala. He’s scheduled to travel to Merseyside this afternoon, loan move from OL.
‘Exclusive detail: NO buy option included, straight loan to #EFC if all goes to plan.’
It seems that, despite alternative reports, Mangala is in fact set to join Sean Dyche‘s Everton.
Everton’s attention must turn to the winger spot
Having seemingly secured that much-needed additional midfielder, should Romano prove to be correct on this occasion, attention must now turn to out wide.
After all, for all the quality that the Toffees boast across the field, it remains their one area of weakness.
Especially regarding raw speed, with neither Jack Harrison nor Dwight McNeil boasting the breakneck pace needed to truly threaten Premier League full-backs.
One man who would provide that is Everton target Ernest Nuamah, who has been linked with a £25m move.
He fits the mould of some of their other targets from this summer, including Jaden Philogene and Wilfried Gnonto.
With Mangala hopefully secured, and a winger to come as well, this could end up being one of Everton’s best windows in recent memory.
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