Everton transfer news: Diego Moreira misses training in Chelsea development as Arnaut Danjuma move lined up to replace him
Diego Moreira missed Lyon training on Sunday (21 January) ahead of his return from loan to parent club Chelsea with Everton winger Arnaut Danjuma in line to replace him, according to Fabrice Hawkins.
The RMC Sport journalist reported via Twitter the same day that the Portuguese teenager’s loan in Ligue 1 was “confirmed” to be over and he would be back in London in “the next 24 hours”.
That clears the way for Danjuma, who has been heavily linked to a loan move to France during the January transfer window, to be signed in his place, with an agreement on personal terms believed to have already been reached [Foot Mercato, 11 January].
Hawkins wrote: “Diego Moreira was not training with Lyon this morning. He will travel to London in the next 24 hours. End of the loan confirmed. He returns to Chelsea.
“Lyon now focus on signing Arnaut Danjuma.”
Foot Mercato reported on 18 January that the Toffees were thought to have found a replacement for the Villarreal wide man, having been unwilling to end his Goodison Park loan early otherwise.
Imminent
The dominoes look to be falling into place for some activity at Everton this month if a place at Danjuma’s presumed destination has been vacated for him.
Attention will therefore focus on who Sean Dyche will be getting in to take that loan slot considering there is thought to be nothing in terms of a budget, so the only opening will be on the wage bill.
It might be risky to land anyone who can’t cover the same position, with Dwight McNeil’s January injury throwing a spanner in the works of Danjuma’s exit.
But with Abdoulaye Doucouré again out injured, and his previous absence seeing the Toffees lose three straight in the Premier League, some sort of back up for the attacking midfield role could be even more important.
Indications from Dyche [Sky Sports] and around the club were that they intended for the Dutchman to remain for the rest of the season, but if the preparatory move is being made at Lyon it looks like there is movement on the way.
It is such a delicate balancing act for the manager and Kevin Thelwell at this stage of the season, with the regulars performing well this term but the squad thin behind them.
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Having overcome the points deduction that had dropped Everton back into the Premier League relegation zone, the threat of a second sanction in the wake of another referral over a profit and sustainability breach, pending appeals, leaves no margin for error.
Danjuma’s impact hasn’t quite been what would have been hoped for this season but he played well in the goalless draw against Aston Villa on 14 January in what looks set to be his last appearance for the club, so it is a gamble of sorts to let him go and bring someone else in.
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